Gunmen abduct Correctional Services’ official, release him after payment of N1.2m ransom

 

Gunmen have released an official of the Keffi Old Correctional Centre, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Bikwa Ibyeh, after the payment of N1.2million ransom.

According to SaharaReporters, Ibyeh, who is the head of the admin unit of the correctional centre, was kidnapped on Tuesday evening after the close of work on his way to pick up some items for his farm along Kaduna Road after the seller of the items had failed to send the things over to him as initially agreed.

But along the way he ran into some gunmen, who kidnaped and took him away to an undisclosed location.

On Wednesday, the kidnappers made contact with his family, demanding the payment of N20 million before they set him free.

However, after much pleading, the abductors agreed to accept the sum of N1.2million, which family members, friends and colleagues managed to put together to secure his release.

Ibyeh was eventually freed on Thursday evening by his captors and has reunited with his family.

Speaking with SaharaReporters, a colleague of the victim, who confirmed the development said that the incident had left other officials of the prison worried about their safety.

“The man is back home to his family and still recovering from the shock of that incident.

“The situation has made the rest of us to be afraid because nobody is safe anymore.

“If a security personnel of his Calibre could be kidnapped, what is the fate of others who know little about security intel.

“The police were not involved in the matter. His family quickly rallied round to ensure the ransom was paid for him to be released.

“It is indeed strange how a man who watches over prisoners became a prisoner to kidnappers. What a twist of fate.”