Armed attackers intercepted and kidnapped two visually impaired individuals on Monday along Riyom Road, located within the Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The kidnappers have demanded a ransom of ₦50 million.
Ishaya Ayuba Danjatau, a member of the Nigeria Association of the Blind, to which the victims belong, confirmed the incident to Daily Trust on Tuesday morning.
According to Danjatau, the victims were part of a delegation of persons with disabilities who were on their way from Plateau to Benue State to attend a programme convened by the Benue State Governor.
According to Danjatau, the victims while on their way, received information about the postponement of the programme around Akwanga and subsequently made a u-turn to return to Jos, but were unfortunately intercepted around Riyom and abducted.
“They decided to return to Jos instead of proceeding when they learnt the programme had been postponed. It was on their way back, around Riyom Local Government Area, that the incident happened. The abductors contacted our leader around 7: a. m on Tuesday, using one of the victims’ phones to communicate, and demanded N50 million ransom for their release.”
The Chairman of the Plateau State chapter of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, JONAPWD, Shindol Aaron, who confirmed the incident, said the victims were abducted around 8pm in Riyom LGA.
He said, “They were selected to attend a training in Benue State and, from what I gathered, they took off from Jos. Along the way, they got information that the event had been postponed to another day and they were asked to return to their station.”
“So, it was on their way back to Jos that they encountered some kidnappers who abducted them. There were nine in the vehicle. Seven of them escaped and two were abducted. So, right now, we have a male and a lady in their custody.”
Spokesperson of the state police command, SP Alabo Alfred, did not respond to inquiry from our correspondent as of press time.
What You Should Know
Two visually impaired persons traveling in a vehicle with seven others were ambushed by kidnappers in Plateau State after turning back from a trip due to a postponed event. The abductors have contacted associates using a victim’s phone and demanded a ransom of ₦50 million.
- Positive Impact: Seven other passengers in the vehicle managed to escape unharmed during the incident.
- Potential Concerns: The attack highlights the severe security risks travelers face on highways and raises concerns over the safety of vulnerable groups, particularly persons with disabilities, amidst rising kidnapping threats.
