By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
Three relatives of former Daily Trust Editor Ajobe Tahir were abducted by gunmen on Thursday evening along the Ankpa-Adoka-Makurdi road in Kogi State.
The victims, including a male and two females—one of whom is Mr. Ajobe’s younger sister, Halimtu-Sadiya Tahir—were reportedly returning from a local market in Awo, Ankpa Local Government Area, when the incident occurred on the deteriorated stretch of road.
The family had been preparing for the 7-day prayers for Mr. Ajobe’s late mother, Malama Aishetu Tahir, who passed away on Sunday after a long illness. The victims were at the market purchasing items for the event when they were kidnapped.
Sources close to the family revealed that the kidnappers contacted them on Friday, demanding a ransom of N50 million for the victims’ release.
“Three of Ajobe’s family members were taken at gunpoint around 3 p.m. on Thursday. The kidnappers called on Friday afternoon to demand N50 million. As of now, I can’t confirm the family’s offer in the negotiations, but no ransom has been paid yet,” a family friend disclosed.
The victims remain in captivity, and efforts to reach Mr. Ajobe for further comments were unsuccessful at the time of reporting. Authorities have not yet issued a statement regarding the incident.
