The kidnappers of six Federal Ministry of Defense directors along the Kabba–Lokoja route in Kogi State are requesting N150 million in exchange for their release.
On November 10, 2025, the directors were abducted while en route from Lagos to Abuja for a promotion examination at the Directorate level. According to sources, it was a well-planned ambush.
A family member, who spoke to Vanguard on condition of anonymity, said, “We are still in shock over the whole incident. To worsen our pain, the kidnappers are demanding N150 million to free all six of them. Where and how can we raise such an outrageous amount? We are appealing to the kidnappers to release our breadwinners unharmed. This is all we can say.”
Shehu Mohammed, the president of the Association of Senior Staff of the Federal Ministry of Defense (ASCSN), and Joshua Apebo, the secretary-general, issued a statement on Tuesday denouncing the kidnapping and assuring members that attempts were being made to secure the directors’ release.
Mrs. Ngozi Ibeziakor, Mrs. C. Emeribe, Mrs. Helen Ezeakor, Mrs. C. Ladoye, Mrs. J. Onwuzurike, and Mrs. Catherine Essien were named as the abducted directors in the statement.
They are all employees of Command Day Secondary School (CDSS), Ojo, Lagos, and members of ASCSN.
The union revealed that in order to guarantee the victims‘ safe rescue, the Defence Ministry had already dispatched security personnel.
