Kidnappers Take Two Blind People in Plateau State

Two blind people have been kidnapped by suspected criminals in the Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State. This happened while they were on their way back to Jos from Benue State.

Shindol Aaron, the Chairman of the Plateau State chapter of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, confirmed the news in a phone interview with PUNCH Online on Tuesday.

Aaron explained that the victims were part of a group of nine people chosen to attend a training in Benue State. He said, “They were selected to attend a training in Benue State and from what I gathered, they took off from Jos, and along the way, they got information that the event had been postponed to another day and they were asked to return to their station.”

He continued, “So, it was on their way back to Jos that they encountered some kidnappers who abducted them. They were nine in the vehicle. Seven of them escaped, and two were abducted. So, right now, we have a male and a lady in their custody.”

The incident took place around 8pm on Monday in the Riyom Local Government Area. Aaron added, “This thing happened yesterday, Monday night around 8 pm around Riyom LGA. I have not spoken with the kidnappers, but I was told that they were asking for ransom from somebody who spoke with them.”

He mentioned that they had reported the incident to the security agencies. Efforts are being made to get the victims back. “We have reported the incident to the security agents, and we are trying to see how they could be released. The driver of the vehicle also went to the police station to report,” he said.

Another member of the association confirmed the kidnapping and said the kidnappers are demanding a ransom of N50 million. “The kidnappers have reached out, and they are demanding N50m before they could free the two persons in their custody. Where do they want us to get the money from?” the member said.

As of this report, attempts to get a response from the spokesperson of the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, were not successful.