Gunmen Abducts Senior Prisons Official, 15 Others Along Lokoja-Enugu Road

Deputy Superintendent of Corrections and 15 Others Kidnapped by Gunmen in Enugu; Police Thwart Another Attempt in Katsina

In a troubling turn of events, unknown assailants have abducted Deputy Superintendent of Corrections, Innocent Ogbu, alongside 15 other individuals, in a brazen kidnapping incident. Ogbu, who serves as the unit commander of the Armed Squad at the Medium-Security Custodial Centre in Minna, Niger State, was taken on Saturday, November 23, 2024, while traveling along the Lokoja-Enugu road. He was en route to Enugu for a professional development course when the abduction took place.

The Public Relations Officer for the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), Rabiu Mohammed Shuaibu, confirmed the incident, revealing that Ogbu was traveling with 15 other passengers in an 18-seater commercial vehicle when they were abducted by gunmen. The news has sparked widespread concern, with the authorities promptly notifying both the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) about the incident.

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The Controller of Corrections at the Nigerian Correctional Service, Niger State Command, has called on the public to pray for the safe return of Ogbu and the other victims. Meanwhile, authorities have continued their efforts to locate and rescue those still in captivity.

In a separate but related incident, police operatives in Katsina State successfully thwarted another kidnapping attempt on Sunday evening, rescuing 14 individuals. This foiled abduction occurred in Dan’arau village, located along the Magama-Jibia Road in the Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina. Armed bandits reportedly opened fire on two commercial vehicles, attempting to abduct the passengers. However, the quick response of the local police, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Jibia LGA, resulted in a fierce gunfight that forced the bandits to flee and prevented further abductions.

Unfortunately, two of the victims sustained gunshot wounds during the encounter. They were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for medical treatment, but despite the best efforts of healthcare professionals, one of the victims later succumbed to their injuries. The remaining rescued individuals were reported to be in stable condition.

Police authorities in Katsina are now actively pursuing the bandits responsible for the attack and are working to gather more intelligence regarding the assailants’ identity and activities. Investigations into both the kidnapping of Ogbu and the thwarted attempt in Katsina are ongoing, with law enforcement agencies intensifying their efforts to ensure the safety and security of the public.

These recent abductions and attempted kidnappings highlight the persistent security challenges facing many parts of Nigeria, particularly in rural areas. Authorities continue to call for increased vigilance and cooperation from the public to combat the rising wave of criminal activities that are putting lives at risk.