Two visually impaired persons have been abducted by suspected kidnappers along the Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State while returning to Jos from Benue State.
As reported by Punch, the Chairman of the Plateau State chapter of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Shindol Aaron, confirmed the abduction in Jos on Tuesday.
Aaron said the victims were among nine persons selected to attend a training programme in Benue State.
He said, “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.
“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,” he said.
According to him, the incident occurred around 8pm on Monday in Riyom Local Government Area.
He added, “This thing happened yesterday, Monday night around 8 pm around Riyom LGA. I have not spoken with the kidnappers, but I was told that they were asking for ransom from somebody who spoke with them.”
Aaron said the incident had been reported to security agencies and that efforts were being made 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.
Another member of the association, who also confirmed the abduction, said the kidnappers had demanded a N50 million ransom.
“The kidnappers have reached out, and they are demanding N50 million before they could free the two persons in their custody. Where do they want us to get the money from?” the member said.
Efforts to get the reaction of the Plateau State Police Command’s spokesperson, Alabo Alfred, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
