Suspected gunmen have abducted several mourners accompanying the remains of a deceased senior official of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Kogi State, with the kidnappers reportedly demanding a ₦50 million ransom for their release.
The victims were travelling in a funeral convoy conveying the remains of Deputy Corps Commander (DCC) Augustine O. Ikwue, popularly known as “Etume Zero,” from Kogi State to his hometown in Otukpo, Benue State, when the attackers struck along the Ososo–Ajaokuta road.
According to reports, the assailants intercepted the convoy, forcefully took the mourners into the bush and initially seized the corpse of the late FRSC officer.
The corpse was later recovered around Ejule in Kogi State after it was reportedly abandoned by the kidnappers, while those abducted remain in captivity.
Citizen journalist and activist, Meddy Olotu, who disclosed the incident, said the abductors have contacted the victims’ families and are demanding ₦50 million to secure their release.
Describing the incident as disturbing, Olotu lamented the worsening security situation in the country.
“What kind of country are we living in? Even the dead cannot rest in peace,” he said.
He called on security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the abducted mourners and ensure those responsible for the attack are apprehended and prosecuted.
The late Ikwue, an FRSC Deputy Corps Commander, was scheduled to be buried on Friday in Upu community, Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, before the funeral procession was disrupted by the attack.
A Facebook user, Dele Omotunde commented and said “Even the Road is not Safe enough for a dead Road Safety man? The world is completely out of joint., at least here in Naija. May our remains not travel the day the road is famished.”
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had yet to issue an official statement on the incident or confirm any rescue operation.
