Gunmen Abduct Niger Correction Officer, 14 Others

Laleye Dipo in Minna

A Correction Officer with the Niger State Correctional Centre, DSC Innocent Ogbu, and 14 others have been abducted by suspected gunmen.

Ogbu, along with the other victims, were reported to have been kidnapped last Saturday on the Lokoja- Enugu road.

The identities of other victims are yet to be known.

The Controller of the Nigeria Correctional Centre in Niger State, Mr. Maikudi Garba Adamu, confirmed the incident in a telephone conversation with THISDAY yesterday.

Adamu said his officer was on his way to Enugu for a DSC development course when the vehicle in which he was traveling with the other victims was flagged down and AK 47 rifles pointed at them.They were then at gun point herded into the bush, the controller said

He said the incident was “reported to relevant security agencies” for necessary action before soliciting prayers from members of the public for the safe release of the victims

THISDAY gathered that the abductors had not contacted the relations of Ogbu or his office as his whereabouts continued to remain unknown.

About a year ago, a similar incident occurred during which a senior officer of the correctional centre was abducted between Mokwa and Jebba towns  in Niger State.

The correctional officer was released after more than one week in the custody of his abductors. It was not known if ransom was paid before he was set free.