From Emmanuel Adeyemi, Lokoja
It was indeed a sad incident for the family of Ayuba Kadiri, an Edo state-born electronic dealer, whose three children were abducted by gunmen recently from his residence in Ajaokuta, Kogi State.
The incident occurred a few days ago after three police officers and five vigilance members were killed by gunmen suspected to be bandits at Jida Bassa in the same Ajaokuta Local Government.
Governor Yahaya Bello while reacting to the incident had ordered the immediate suspension of the traditional ruler, issued a query to the local government chairman and ordered the security agencies in the state to be alive to their responsibilities.
However, at about 8pm on Wednesday, gunmen numbering about ten were said to have invaded the residence of Kadiri located inside Kaduna Estate, Ajaokuta Steel township complex, and abducted his three children aged five, seven and ten.
It was learnt that the business man was the target of the hoodlums, but he was said to be away when the hoodlums invaded his residence.
According to an eyewitness, the gunmen shot sporadically to air to cause panic in the neighbourhood before abducting the three children.
A family source said the gunmen on Thursday morning contacted the family demanding for N100million before they would release the abducted children.