Kogi Kidnappers Abduct Mourners Escorting FRSC Officer's Corpse, Demand ₦450 Million Ransom

Suspected kidnappers ambushed a vehicle transporting the remains of a senior Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officer and abducted nine mourners along the Ochadamu–Ejule Road in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The deceased officer, Deputy Corps Commander Augustine O. Ikwue, reportedly died after a brief illness in Osogbo, Osun State. His body was being conveyed to his hometown in Otukpo, Benue State, for burial when the attack occurred on Thursday evening.

Kogi State FRSC Sector Commander, Lawal Fagge, confirmed that nine people, including two FRSC personnel, were taken hostage during the incident. He said the gunmen later abandoned the corpse near Ejule community, where it was recovered and handed over to the family for burial.

According to Fagge, the kidnappers later contacted the deceased officer's wife using his mobile phone and demanded a ransom of ₦450 million for the release of those in captivity.

Security agencies, including the military, police, local vigilantes, and hunters, have launched a joint operation to rescue the abducted victims and track down the perpetrators.

The incident has sparked widespread concern, with many describing the attack as a disturbing sign of the growing insecurity along the Kogi-Benue corridor.

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