Nigeria: Gunmen Kidnap BEDC Driver; Demand N10Million Ransom

A driver of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) has been abducted by gunmen and demanding N10 million (US$22,650) before releasing him.

The driver, Seun Emmanuel, was said to be driving his boss and the Manager of BEDC in the Ondo Region and heading to Akure from Ifon, the headquarters of the Ose Local Government area when they ran into the gunmen who had mounted roadblocks at Elegbeka.

According to a report by Punch, a local newspaper, the gunmen opened fire on the vehicle of the driver, causing him to lose control of the steering wheel and somersault into a bush.

The report said the boss of the driver fell unconscious and the gunmen thought he had died and, therefore, left him and took the driver away.

“The driver was whisked into the bush by the bandits. His boss fell unconscious, so they left the boss they thought had died,” Punch quoted a source as saying, adding, “The bandits contacted the family of the victim, initially demanding a sum of N100 million but later reduced it to N10 million.”

The incident is currently being investigated by the police in the area.

“We are working on the matter. Our men at the anti-kidnapping unit are working towards rescuing the victim,” the Police Public Relations Officer, Funmilayo Odunlami, who confirmed the incident, said.