Gunmen Ambush Taxi, Abduct 5 Passengers

A new dimension has been introduced into the flourishing business of kidnapping in Nigeria as five out of seven Lagos-bound passengers of an inter-state taxi were Wednesday abducted by gunmen on the Lagos-Benin Road.
The manner of the abduction in Edo State, was unprecedented.

Nigerian gunmen: a new dimension to kidnapping

The passengers who were travelling from Warri, Delta state to Lagos, in a Greener Line space wagon Siena bus, were waylaid along the Benin-Lagos road, by Ogbemudia farms by the kidnappers who barricaded the road with a truck.
It was learnt that moments later, gun-toting men suddenly emerged from the bush and took the passengers hostage after allowing the driver and one ot the passengers to go and give information of the incident.
One of the victims, a resident of Lagos, was said to be returning to Lagos after a naming ceremony of his new-born baby in Warri when he was abducted along with other passengers.
Father of the victim, a retired army colonel, who requested not to be named, told journalists in Benin that the kidnappers had contacted the family and demanded N3 million ransom to set his son free.
He pleaded with the kidnappers to release his son unhurt, saying that it was difficult for the family to raise the amount they demanded.
Edo State Police Command Acting Public Relations Officer, ASP Awhara Ejiroro, said he was yet to be briefed of the incident.