by Nigerian News24 Correspondents
The abductors of six senior directors from the Federal Ministry of Defence have demanded a ransom of ₦150 million, intensifying the anguish of their families, who say they are unable to meet the demand.
Family members told journalists that the ransom request has deepened their distress as they await the safe return of their relatives.
“We are still traumatised by the incident. Now they are asking for ₦150 million to release all six of them. How can we raise such an amount? We appeal to them to please release our loved ones unharmed,” one relative pleaded.
The kidnapped officials — Mrs. Ngozi Ibeziakor, Mrs. C. Emeribe, Mrs. Helen Ezeakor, Mrs. C. Ladoye, Mrs. J. Onwuzurike, and Mrs. Catherine Essien — were seized on Monday, November 10, 2025, along the Kabba–Lokoja road while travelling from Lagos to Abuja for a Directorate-level promotion examination.
In a statement jointly signed by President Shehu Mohammed and Secretary-General Joshua Apebo, the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria condemned the attack. The union confirmed that the Ministry of Defence had deployed security personnel to facilitate the rescue of the victims.
The association also renewed its call for decentralised promotion examinations, arguing that it would reduce the need for civil servants to embark on long-distance journeys that expose them to security risks.
Security sources have described the abduction as a “well-coordinated operation,” heightening concerns about the safety of government employees on official assignments.
Meanwhile, families of the victims continue to appeal to the kidnappers for mercy and for the safe release of the captives.