The abductors of workers at Dangote Cement Company Plc in Okpella Community, Etsako Area of Edo State, have demanded a N5 million ransom from the family of one victim, Abah James Ogwu, currently held captive.
Ogwu and his colleagues were kidnapped last Monday after their staff bus was ambushed on their way home by unidentified men in the community. The gunmen, suspected to be kidnappers, emerged from the bush, halted the Coaster bus at gunpoint, and abducted the Dangote Cement workers, with some sustaining bullet wounds.
Victor Ogwu, the son of a victim, reported on Tuesday that the kidnappers reduced the ransom to N5 million from N15 million after several pleas and negotiations with his mother and uncle. He stated, “My dad works in the administrative department and was kidnapped as well. The kidnappers called my mother and uncle last Wednesday. They initially demanded N15 million, but after we pleaded, they reduced it to N5 million on Saturday.”
Victor added, “We have raised N2 million with the help of friends, family, and proceeds from a land sale in the village. Today, those kidnappers called my uncle, who told them we have N2 million, but they have not responded since then. We are still waiting for their call. I have been begging online for funds because we do not have enough money for the ransom.”
Victor expressed uncertainty about whether the Edo State Police Command was making any effort to secure their release, as he and his mother are based in Ogun State. He appealed for intervention from Dangote Company and the police force.
Efforts to contact the spokesperson for Dangote Group, Anthony Chiejina, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls and texts at the time of filing this report. However, Edo Police Command spokesperson, Chidi Nwabuzor, assured that an investigation was ongoing to facilitate the victims’ release, citing reports on the Internet. “Investigation is ongoing, that is the situation on the ground. According to our report on the Internet, some of the victims with gunshot injuries were rescued,” Nwabuzor said.