Gunmen abducted three relatives of former Daily Trust Editor, Malam Ahmed Tahir Ajobe, on Thursday evening in Kogi State.
The victims, which include a male and two females—one of whom is Mr. Ajobe’s immediate younger sister, Halimtu-Sadiya Tahir—were taken while returning from a market in Awo, located in Ankpa Local Government Area.
They were abducted along the poorly maintained Ankpa-Adoka-Markudi road.
This incident occurred just days after Mr. Ajobe’s mother, Malama Aishetu Tahir, passed away following a prolonged illness.
The victims were reportedly on their way to buy items for the 7-day memorial prayers for the late mother when they were kidnapped.
While Mr. Ajobe could not be reached for immediate comment, a family friend confirmed that the kidnappers had contacted the family on Friday, demanding a ransom of N50 million for the release of the victims.
The source explained, “Three of Ajobe’s family members were kidnapped around 3 p.m. on Thursday. The kidnappers made contact on Friday afternoon, asking for N50 million.” The friend, however, could not provide details on the ongoing negotiations, noting, “I had to leave for an emergency in Lokoja, so I am not sure what the family is offering. No payment has been made yet, and the victims are still in captivity.”
Efforts to get a statement from Kogi State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP William Ayah, were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to phone calls from our correspondent.
