Anthony Iwuoma
Gunmen have shot dead an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Segun Ayebulu, in Ekiti State, and abducted three other persons.
It was further gathered that the assailants have placed a N30 million ransom on the head of the abductees.
Ayebulu, who was traveling to his town in Ogbe, Kogi State, was shot dead along Oke Ako-Irele Ekiti Road while three other occupants with him in the car were abducted.
According the slain officer’s uncle, who spoke to newsmen in Ado Ekiti on Sunday: “The abductors contacted the family this evening and demanded N30 million to secure release of the victims.
“The three abductees were younger brothers of the late NSCDC officer, five year-old child of the deceased and 11 year-old child of the slain officer’s elder brother while two others in the car escaped.
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“They called this evening demanding N30 million naira. We heard the voices of the abductees with them. The younger brother of the slain NSCDC officer appealed to us from the kidnappers’ den that we should do something urgently for their release that the way they were being tortured was unbearable.
“On our side, the demand is on the high side, there is no way the family and even communities can raise it. So, we are still negotiating that it should be brought down,” he said.
“There were six persons in the car, the NSCDC officer was killed; two escaped and three were whisked away. Those abducted are the younger brother of the deceased, and two children aged 11 years and five years old. The three are still in the custody of the gunmen.
“When I received information that the officer was killed, we immediately mobilised hunters in the community. Fortunately, I saw a military man and when I told him what happened, he said I should take him to the military outpost so that they could mobilise, which I did.
“On my way back riding on my motorbike, I saw two children in the bush not far away from the scene. I was trying to have a proper view when I saw an armed man, who pointed a gun at me and fired a shot. I escaped death probably because my appointed date had not come. God saved me.
“When I got to where the soldiers were, I told them I was the one who was shot; perhaps, they heard a gunshot. So, soldiers and hunters rushed to the place, but before they could get there, the gunmen had taken the children away.”
