Suspected terrorists who abducted seven construction workers in Oba community, Isin local government area of Kwara state, have demanded N500 million as ransom for their release.
SaharaReporters quoted a source within one of the affected families to have said the abductors established contact on Wednesday evening and insisted that payment must be made before the workers are freed.
The victims were engaged on a construction project in the area when armed men attacked the site, leaving residents and relatives gripped by fear.
“The kidnappers have reached out and demanded N500 million for the release of the seven construction workers,” the source said.
“We are appealing to the Kwara state government and security agencies to intensify efforts to secure their safe release.”
The abduction occurred when the attackers stormed the construction site and forcefully took the workers away.
According to the sources, the victims were actively working on an ongoing project at the time of the incident.
Two officials of the Kwara State Ministry of Works are among those held captive.
“The attackers came suddenly, overpowered the workers and marched them into the bush,” a source said, noting that there was no immediate resistance.
Meanwhile, Nigerian soldiers recently arrested suspected bandits found moving with AK-47 rifles in a local security patrol vehicle in Ifelodun local government area of Kwara state.
The suspects were intercepted during a military operation and taken into custody.
In a video from the arrest, the men were seen lying face down with their hands tied while soldiers questioned them about the weapons and the patrol vehicle.
During interrogation, one of the suspects, speaking in Hausa and Pidgin English, claimed the arms and vehicle were supplied by the Kwara state government.
“We have been here for quite a while. We are using the vehicle for patrol. Wallahi, na the truth I dey tell you,” the suspect said.
“Ilorin government na him give us this motor and the weapons. They were the ones that gave us the rifles.”
The suspect further alleged that the firearms were collected by their superior, whom he referred to as “our oga,” and claimed several people were involved.
“We are not the ones that collected the rifles; it was our oga that collected them. I know because I was with them. We go patrol many times with them, including oga Victor. All of them are involved. The weapons are theirs,” he said.