Kidnapped NTA staff and 12 other passengers regain freedom after ‘N7.5m’ ransom payment

A kidnapped staff of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Tom Tikyaa and 12 other passengers of Benue Links bus have regained their freedom. 

The 13 victims including the driver of the bus were kidnapped last Sunday along Otukpo – Ugbokolo road in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State. 

The vehicle was returning to Makurdi from Onitsha in Anambra State when the gunmen intercepted it and whisked the victims away to an unknown destination. 

According to Daily Trust, some family sources of the freed victims alleged that they paid a total sum of N7.5million to secure the release of the victims.

Secretary General of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (Benue Links chapter), Comrade Gabriel Tachia, who confirmed the development on Thursday, September 21, said the victims regained their freedom on Wednesday night.

He, however, told the publication that he does know about the payment of any ransom for the release of the victims.