Yakubu Lawal, the Nasarawa State commissioner for information, culture, and tourism, has been abducted, and his captors have demanded N100 million in ransom before releasing him.
According to reports, the victim’s family offered the kidnappers N3.5 million, but when they heard the amount, they turned off their phones.
A family source said the kidnappers made their demand known on Tuesday, August 16, 2022.
“Actually, they called this evening at about 4:30 pm and demanded for N100 million and when the family offered N3.5 million, they switched off the phone that they are not serious and insisted that anything less than a N100 million, they should forget it. They dialed the number again and it was not reachable,” he said.
In a statement made available to media, DSP Ramhan Nansel, a spokesman for the police in Nasarawa State, described how the incident occurred: “On Monday, Aug. 15 at about 8:45 p.m., the attention of Policemen on routine patrol was drawn to the sound of sporadic gunshots in the Nasarawa-Eggon Local Government Area of the state.”
According to the statement, the Nasarawa-Eggon Division operatives hurried to the spot right away.
“Adesina Soyemi, Commissioner of Police (CP) also reinforced the men with a combined detachment of the Police Mobile Force, the Anti kidnapping unit, Military personnel, Vigilante as well as local hunters.
“Upon arrival at the scene, it was discovered that unknown gunmen while shooting sporadically, invaded the residence of the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism and forcefully abducted him to an unknown destination.
“The search and rescue operation is ongoing by the combined team, led by Area Commander, Akwanga Area Command, ACP Halliru Aliyu to rescue the victim unhurt and arrest the perpetrators of the crime,” Nansel added.
