Abductors of Ministry of Defence Directors demand N150m ransom

Gunmen who abducted six directors from the Federal Ministry of Defence have demanded a ransom of N150 million for their release.

One family member of the victims who spoke on condition of anonymity disclosed this to Vanguard

He said; “We are still in shock over the whole incident. To worsen our pain, the kidnappers are demanding N150 million to free all six of them. Where and how can we raise such an outrageous amount? We are appealing to the kidnappers to release our breadwinners unharmed. This is all we can say.”

The senior officials were abducted on November 10, 2025, along the Kabba–Lokoja highway in Kogi State while travelling from Lagos to Abuja to participate in a Directorate-level promotion examination.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Association of Senior Staff of the Federal Ministry of Defence, ASCSN, by its President, Shehu Mohammed, and Secretary-General, Joshua Apebo, condemned the abduction and assured members that efforts were underway to secure the directors’ release

The statement identified the abducted directors as Mrs. Ngozi Ibeziakor, Mrs. C. Emeribe, Mrs. Helen Ezeakor, Mrs. C. Ladoye, Mrs. J. Onwuzurike, and Mrs. Catherine Essien.

They are all members of ASCSN and staff of Command Day Secondary School, CDSS, Ojo, Lagos.

The union disclosed that the Defence Ministry had already mobilized security operatives, taking urgent steps to ensure the safe rescue of the victims.