Gunmen Abduct Professor In Nasarawa, Demand N20m Ransom

Kidnappers operating along Akwanga-Keffi highway in Nasarawa State have abducted a professor of mathematical science at the Federal University, Dutsin-ma, in Katsina State, Johnson Fatokun.

Prof. Fatokun was abducted while driving from Jos and heading towards Keffi at about 9:00pm on Monday after armed gangs ambushed his vehicle.

A survivor who spoke to newsmen in Lafia said as they were approaching Garaku in Kokona LGA of the state, some people started shooting sporadically from behind them.

The professor, who was driving, decided to increase his speed only to meet another gang ahead of him who was shouting at them, and had no option than to stop.

“When we stopped, they ordered us into the bush and they started speaking Hausa dialect and when I told one of them that I don’t understand Hausa, he corked his gun in an attempt to shoot at me, he discovered there was no bullet,” the survivor narrated

He stated further that when he discovered there was no bullet in the gun, he brought out a sharp knife and wanted to stab him but he narrowly escaped it and hid himself in the drainage.

While the gunmen advanced in search of him, the survivor said a team of soldiers was alerted and they came and engaged the criminals in a gun battle while the armed gang fled into the bush with the professor.

He said that some of the abductors wore police uniform and were fully armed.

He said he had given a statement at the Garaku police station where the professor’s bullet ridden car was parked.

According to him, the abductors are demanding for N20m as ransom before the professor would be released.