Suspected kidnappers have demanded N50m ransom for the release of two visually impaired persons abducted while returning to Jos from a training programme in Benue State.
The victims, a man and a woman, were among nine persons travelling in a vehicle when they were seized around 8pm on Monday in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities in Plateau State, Shindol Aaron, confirmed the incident on Tuesday, saying seven other occupants of the vehicle escaped.
Aaron said the victims had been selected to participate in a training programme in Benue State but were returning to Jos after receiving information that the event had been postponed.
“They were selected to attend a training in Benue State and from what I gathered, they took off from Jos, and along the way, they got information that the event had been postponed to another day and they were asked to return to their station,” he said.
He added that the victims were abducted on their way back to Jos.
“So, it was on their way back to Jos that they encountered some kidnappers who abducted them. They were nine in the vehicle. Seven of them escaped, and two were abducted. So, right now, we have a male and a lady in their custody,” Aaron said.
The association chairman said the kidnappers had contacted someone and demanded ransom, although he had yet to speak directly with them.
Another member of the association, who confirmed the abduction, said the kidnappers were demanding N50m for the victims' release.
“The kidnappers have reached out, and they are demanding N50m before they could free the two persons in their custody. Where do they want us to get the money from?” the member said.
Aaron said the incident had been reported to security agencies, while efforts were ongoing to secure the victims' release.
“We have reported the incident to the security agents, and we are trying to see how they could be released. The driver of the vehicle also went to the police station to report,” he said.
Efforts to obtain comments from the Plateau State Police Command spokesperson, Alabo Alfred, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
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