A sombre funeral procession turned into a harrowing ordeal in Kogi State after gunmen ambushed a convoy transporting the remains of a late Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Deputy Corps Commander, Augustine O. Ikwue, to Benue State for burial.
The attack, which occurred along the Ososo–Ajaokuta axis, left the community in shock as armed men intercepted the mourners, forcing the convoy to a halt. In a display of extreme brutality, the assailants abducted the mourners and seized the vehicle carrying the body of the deceased officer, locally known as “Etume Zero,” before marching them into the nearby bush.
According to reports from activist Meddy Olotu, the kidnappers later abandoned the corpse of the FRSC commander, which was subsequently recovered by local authorities near Ejule in Kogi State. However, the mourners remain in captivity, with their captors reportedly demanding a ransom of ₦50 million for their release.
The late Augustine O. Ikwue was scheduled to be laid to rest this past Friday in AiOde, Upu community, Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State. The attack has drawn sharp criticism from citizens and observers, who decried the state of national insecurity where even the sanctity of the dead is no longer respected.
Authorities are currently facing increased pressure to intensify search-and-rescue operations to secure the release of the abducted mourners and bring the perpetrators of this heinous act to justice. This incident highlights the ongoing security challenges along major transport corridors in Nigeria, where criminal gangs continue to exploit remote stretches of road to target travellers and funeral processions alike.
Security agencies have yet to issue a formal statement regarding the progress of the rescue mission.
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