By Correspondent in Abuja
Members of the Market Traders Association of Nigeria (MATAN) have appealed to the Federal Government and security agencies to rescue their colleagues kidnapped along Okene-Auchi road in Kogi.
The President of the association, Alhaji Jamilu Abbas, made the appeal in a statement in Abuja.
He said: “I am appealing to the government and security operatives to do everything possible to rescue our members unharmed.
“Though the kidnappers have reached out to the families of the abductees, demanding for N50 million ransom, they later came down to N27 million, before they can free all of them” he said.
According to him, no fewer than 27 traders of Kantin Kwari Textiles Market in Kano are reportedly kidnapped by gunmen on their way to Aba town in Abia State.
Abbas further disclosed that the traders left Kano for Aba for their legitimate businesses when they were kindnapped after Okene town in Kogi state.
He said the kidnapped traders were from from Kofar Wambai, Sabongari markets, adding that some from Zamfara joined those from Kantinkwari for the trip.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Kogi state,Ede Ayuba, has debunked media reports that the traders referred to by the association were kidnapped in the state.
The commissioner, who made the clarification in a statement made available to The Reporters in Lokoja on Friday, urged journalists as well as social media handlers to
always cross check their news before publication to avoid misinformation of the public.