Kidnappers Demand N150m for Defence Ministry Directors as Highway Abductions Surge in Kogi

NewstrackNov 14, 2025Read original

A coordinated ambush along the Kabba–Lokoja highway in Kogi State has led to the abduction of six senior directors from the Federal Ministry of Defence, with their captors now demanding a ransom of

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The officials were travelling from Lagos to Abuja on 10 November for a Directorate-level promotion examination when gunmen intercepted their convoy. Families say the attack was swift, calculated, and deeply traumatising.

A relative of one of the victims, speaking anonymously, described the situation as overwhelming.

“We are still in shock over the whole incident. To worsen our pain, the kidnappers are demanding N150 million to free all six of them. Where and how can we raise such an outrageous amount? We are appealing to the kidnappers to release our breadwinners unharmed,” the family member said.

The Association of Senior Staff of the Federal Ministry of Defence (ASCSN), in a statement signed by its President, Shehu Mohammed, and Secretary-General, Joshua Apebo, condemned the attack and assured workers that efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the abducted directors.

The victims were identified as:

All six are members of ASCSN and staff of Command Day Secondary School, Ojo, Lagos.

According to the union, the Defence Ministry has already mobilised security agencies and is working urgently to ensure their safe return.

The abduction comes amid rising concerns about insecurity on major Nigerian highways, including a separate attack on the Sagamu–Ijebu-Ode expressway where gunmen killed one person and kidnapped seven travellers.