Kidnappers Seize Mourners Escorting Late FRSC Commander’s Corpse, Demand ₦450 Million Ransom

A tragic journey to lay a senior Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officer to rest turned into a nightmare after suspected kidnappers reportedly abducted mourners accompanying his remains to Benue State and demanded a staggering ₦450 million ransom for their release.

The victims were travelling with the corpse of former Deputy Corps Commander of the FRSC, Augustine O. Ikwue, when their vehicle was ambushed along the Ochadamu-Ejule Road in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State at about 6 p.m. on Thursday.

Ikwue, who reportedly died after a brief illness in Osogbo, Osun State, was being transported to his hometown in Otukpo, Benue State, for burial when the attackers struck.

The kidnappers are said to have contacted the deceased officer’s family and demanded ₦450 million to secure the freedom of those held captive.

Confirming the incident, Kogi State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Lawal Fagge, disclosed that nine mourners, including two FRSC personnel, were abducted during the attack.

According to him, the kidnappers later abandoned the corpse near Ejule community, where it was recovered by search teams and subsequently returned to the family.

“We recovered the corpse of the officer in Ejule community on Friday after extensive efforts and handed it over to the family. He was eventually buried on Saturday in his hometown of Otukpo, Benue State,” Fagge said.

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He further revealed that the abductors used the late officer’s mobile phone to contact his wife, demanding a huge ransom for the release of those in captivity.

“The abductors used the cellphone of the deceased officer and called his wife, demanding a large sum of money for the victims to regain their freedom,” he added.

Following the incident, security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, the Police, local hunters, and vigilante groups, have launched coordinated operations in the area to rescue the abducted mourners and track down the perpetrators.

The shocking attack has sparked outrage and concern among residents and observers, many of whom described the incident as a disturbing indication of the worsening security situation in parts of the country.

Several commentators have expressed disbelief that criminals would target a funeral convoy transporting a deceased officer, saying the development reflects a growing disregard for both human life and cultural respect for the dead.

As rescue efforts continue, families of the abducted victims remain anxiously hopeful for their safe return while security operatives intensify the search for the kidnappers.