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Akingboye Joseph Oluwaseun

The Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Hospital Management Board, Dr. Niran Ikuomola, has been abducted by unknown gunmen in Kogi State.

The Guardian gathered that Dr. Ikuomola was kidnapped together with his driver on Sunday evening along the Lokoja/Abuja Expressway, when going to Abuja for an official assignment.

According to the Secretary of the state Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Roland Arohunmolase, who broke the news to Journalists in Akure yesterday, the Permanent Secretary was ambushed by unknown gun men.

Arohunmolase explained that one of the abductors connected the family to confirm incident, demanding N70 million as ransom for their victims.

“Dr. Ikuomola was abducted yesterday (Sunday) with his driver on the Lokoja -Abuja road while on his way to Abuja for an official function.

“The kidnappers have contacted us this morning (Monday) by demanding for the sum of N70 million before he could be released to his family” he said.

But the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Femi Joseph, when contacted, said since the incident occurred outside the jurisdiction of Ondo State, the police officers in Kogi State would take it up.

“Am not yet aware, although, it is outside our jurisdiction but am sure some of our colleagues (police) in Kogi state would have taken prompt action on it,” he said.

Joseph assured that the police is determined to root out crime in the society, ensuring the full safety, protection of lives and properties of its citizenry.