FRSC Commander's Corpse, Mourners Seized in Kogi; N450m Ransom Demanded

A somber journey turned terrifying for a group of mourners in Kogi State when suspected kidnappers ambushed their vehicle, initially making off with the remains of a deceased Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Deputy Corps Commander, Augustine O. Ikwue, alongside nine others. The incident unfolded around 6 PM on Thursday, July 9, 2026, along the Ochadamu-Ejule road in Ofu Local Government Area as the convoy transported the late officer's body to his hometown of Otukpo in Benue State. Commander Ikwue had reportedly passed away in Osogbo, Osun State, following a brief illness.

The abductors have since established contact with the bereaved family, issuing a demand for a staggering N450 million ransom to secure the release of the victims. Among those taken captive were two operatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps, as confirmed by Lawal Fagge, the FRSC Sector Commander for Kogi State.

According to Commander Fagge, the bandits later abandoned the late officer's corpse near the Ejule community. Following an intensive search, the body was recovered on Friday and subsequently handed over to the family for burial. Commander Ikwue was laid to rest in his ancestral home in Otukpo, Benue State, on Saturday. Fagge further disclosed that the kidnappers utilized the deceased officer's mobile phone to contact his wife, explicitly stating their demand for a substantial sum for the release of those held hostage.

In response to the brazen attack, a combined team of security forces, including personnel from the Nigerian Army, police, local hunters, and vigilantes, has been mobilized to the affected area. Their mission is to locate and rescue the abducted individuals and, if possible, apprehend the perpetrators behind this heinous act.

This incident has sparked widespread concern among the public, with many expressing shock and dismay at the bandits' apparent disregard for human dignity, extending their cruelty even to the dead.