Armed bandits are said to have assaulted a funeral caravan bearing the remains of a late Deputy Corps Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Augustine Ikwue and abducted nine mourners including two FRSC personnel along the Ochadamu – Ejule Road in Kogi State.
The incident took place as the convoy was heading to Benue State for the burial of the late officer, disrupting the funeral service and causing mourners to run for safety.
Security intelligence reports that the kidnappers are demanding a ransom of ₦50 million for the release of the hostages.
The deceased FRSC officer, who was said to have died after a brief illness in Osogbo, Osun State, was being conveyed to his birthplace in Ai-Ode, Upu village, Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State where he was set to be buried on Friday.
The assailants during the incident whisked the mourners away and left the corpse of the deceased in Ejule community.
Local villagers and security agents later retrieved the body and handed it over to the family for burial.
The identity of the abducted mourners have not been officially published as at the time of reporting this article while there has been no confirmation from the Nigeria Police or other security authorities on the occurrence.
The recent attack illustrates the persisting security issues in portions of the Kogi-Benue corridor where kidnappings for ransom have become more prevalent despite the ongoing security operations in the area.
There is no word yet from authorities on efforts to rescue the abducted victims or bring the perpetrators of the atrocity to justice.
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