Gunmen have abducted two persons with visual impairments in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State while they were returning to Jos from Benue State, with the kidnappers demanding a ransom of N50 million for their release.
The victims were among nine persons travelling in a vehicle to attend a training programme in Benue State. Seven others reportedly escaped when the vehicle came under attack on Monday night.
The Chairman of the Plateau State chapter of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Shindol Aaron, confirmed the incident, saying the victims were abducted at about 8pm in Riyom LGA.
He said the victims had been selected to attend a training programme in Benue State and had departed Jos for the event.
“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,” he said.
Aaron said nine people were in the vehicle when the attack occurred, but seven managed to escape, leaving two persons, a man and a woman, in the kidnappers’ custody.
He added that the abductors had contacted someone in connection with the victims’ release, although he had not personally spoken with them.
The JONAPWD chairman said the incident occurred on Monday night at about 8pm and had been reported to security agencies.
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“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, Ishaya Ayuba Danjatau, who also confirmed the abduction, disclosed that the kidnappers had demanded N50 million for the release of the victims.
“The kidnappers have reached out, and they are demanding N50 million before they can free the two persons in their custody. Where do they want us to get the money from?” he said.
Efforts to obtain a reaction from the Plateau State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Alabo Alfred, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
