Abducted Abuja-bound passengers regain freedom — after five days in captivity

All 14 passengers of God Is Good (GIG) Motors and ABC Transport who were abducted in Kogi on their way to Abuja have regained freedom.

The passengers, who were said to have been travelling from the south-east, were kidnapped in Inyele Eteke, Olamaboro LGA of Kogi state on February 3.

The gunmen reportedly hijacked the vehicles before abducting the occupants.

The kidnappers were said to have demanded N15 million ransom from each of the passengers to secure their release.

Williams Ovye-Aya, Kogi police spokesperson, who confirmed the freedom of the passengers, said they were released at about 5 p.m. on Thursday.

“I’m confirming to you now that all the 14 kidnapped passengers of both GIG and ABC Motors have finally regained their freedom,” NAN quoted Ovye-Aya as saying.

“The 14 of them are hale and hearty. They will soon meet their family members.

“Among those released are 12 passengers of GIG motors and two of ABC.

“I can’t tell you whether ransoms were paid or not, but what I can tell you is that they are free people now.”

The command’s spokesperson, however, did not confirm whether arrests were made while securing the release of the victims.