Florence Sadiku
GUNMEN who kidnapped some workers of Dangote Cement workers at Okpella in Edo State, a town near Okene in Kogi State have contacted family members of the victims demanding payment of Nine Hundred Million Naira (N900,000,000.00).
Eighteen-Eleven Media on Monday reported the kidnap of the yet-to-be ascertained number of workers who were returning from work Monday evening in the company Coastal bus when the incident occurred.
Witnesses said it was unclear how many people were wounded or the severity as of Monday evening.
“Other people are in the bush. My colleague has bullet wounds. A Coaster bus filled with staff was attacked at Okpella by kidnappers,” a witness said. “They kidnapped our whole staff bus. Kidnappers took our staff.”
Michael Odofin, a spokesperson for Okpella Cement Plc, had confirmed the attack and abduction.
“I cannot give any details right now. The attack is still fresh. We have no one killed,” said Mr Odofin.
Meanwhile, the wife of one of the victims who spoke with our correspondent Thursday evening said the victims were being tortured by the abductors. She also said that the management of Dangote Cement has not said anything tangible beyond “we are on top of it”.
“My husband called me with his phone asking that I get in touch with people to raise money for his release. He said that his life was in danger and that I should do everything to raise money. I could hear people being tortured in the background. They are asking for Nine Hundred Million Naira (N900,000,000.00). But the management of Dangote Cement has not said anything beyond “we are on top of it”, she claimed.
The management of Dangote Cement could not be reached as of press time.
Eighteen-Eleven Media