From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Nigerian Navy has said that efforts are ongoing to ensure that one of its personnel, Able Seaman Musa Lawal, who was abducted by suspected bandits in the Wada Post Flood Housing Estate Area of Lokoja in Kogi State, is rescued.
Director of Naval Information, Commodore A.O. Ayo-Vaughan, who confirmed the development, noted that the Able Seaman was abducted at his private home located at Wada Post Flood Housing Estate, in the Ajaokuta Area of Kogi State in the early hours of Tuesday.
“Some masked unidentified gunmen forcefully gained entrance into his house and abducted him. Thereafter, they contacted the family and demanded a ransom of N3million. The wife has been pleading with them and they have reduced the ransom to N1million,” he said.
The Naval spokesman disclosed that Able Seaman Lawal is a personnel working in the Administration Branch at the Naval headquarters pointing out that he was on official leave before the incident happened.
The wife of the kidnapped naval staff, Juliana Musa, who narrated her ordeal, said one of the hands was bleeding when he was being taking away.
The Naval officer was scheduled to depart for his station this morning before the unfortunate incident happened.
An hour after the kidnap, the abductors called, his wife demanding for N3 million.
Commodore Vaughan, however, said the Nigerian Navy Base, NNS Luggard, was working with the Nigeria Police Force in Lokoja to ensure the safe rescue of the personnel.