- Safiu Kehinde
A group of unknown gunmen has abducted six Directors of the Ministry of Defence.
The incident occurred on Monday, along the Kabba–Lokoja highway in Kogi State.
According to reports, the senior officials were travelling from Lagos to Abuja for a Directorate-level promotion examination.
They were ambushed by the heavily armed men in what has been described as a “well-coordinated attack.”
Confirming the incident a statement jointly signed by the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) President, Shehu Mohammed, and Secretary-General, Joshua Apebo, the union condemned the attack and assured members that efforts were underway to rescue the victims.
According to the statement, the victims were members of the union and staff of Command Day Secondary School (CDSS), Ojo, Lagos.
“Those kidnapped are Mrs Ngozi Ibeziakor, Mrs C.A. Emeribe, Mrs C. Helen Ezeakor, Mrs C.A. Ladoye, Mrs J.A. Onwuzurike, and Mrs Catherine O. Essien,
“These Directors, who are members of our Union and staff of Command Day Secondary School (CDSS), Ojo, Lagos, were travelling from Lagos to Abuja when they were kidnapped.” the statement read.
The ASCSN further disclosed that the Ministry of Defence had mobilised its security operatives to take urgent action toward securing the release of the abducted officials.
“We have always advised the Federal Civil Service Commission to conduct promotion examinations in the states instead of compelling public service employees to travel long distances to Abuja,
“The current security situation and deplorable road conditions expose workers to grave risks.” the statement added.
While urging the government to decentralise all promotion and verification exercises to minimise the dangers faced by public servants, the union warned that continued neglect of safety concerns could lead to more tragic incidents.
According to report, sources within the Ministry of Defence confirmed that special security teams had been deployed to comb suspected hideouts across parts of Kogi State.
The ASCSN commended the Defence authorities for their swift response and called on all security agencies to “leave no stone unturned” in ensuring the safe return of the abducted Directors.l