Suspected kidnappers on Wednesday abducted five Lagos-bound travellers on the Lagos-Benin road near Ogbemudia farms from the vehicle in which they were travelling.
It was gathered that the passengers were among occupants of a Greener Line space wagon Siena bus travelling from Warri, DeltaState to Lagos when they ran into a barricade along the Benin-Ore- Sagamu-Lagos road.
The bus was said to have slowed down when a truck blocked them, pretending to have broken down but suddenly, gun-wielding men were said to have emerged from the bush and took the passengers hostage. They allowed the driver and one passenger to go and give information about the incident.
One of the victims, who resides in Lagos, was said to be returning to Lagos after a naming ceremony of his new-born baby in Warri when he was abducted along with other passengers.
Father of the victim, a retired army colonel, who requested not to be named, told journalists in Benin that the kidnappers had contacted the family and demanded N3 million ransom to set his son free.
However, he pleaded with them to release his son unhurt, saying that it was difficult for the family to raise the amount they demanded.
When contacted, Edo State Police Command Acting Public Relations Officer, Awhara Ejiroro, said he was yet to be briefed on the incident.