Benin — ABDUCTION of persons by suspected kidnappers has taken a new worrisome dimension in Edo State following the kidnapping on Wednesday morning of five Lagos-bound passengers by gunmen on the Lagos-Benin road near Ogbemudia farms.

Vanguard 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 suspected kidnappers were said to have blocked the highway with a truck, and the bus driver on sighting the barricade, slowed down.

Soon after, some gun-totting men were said to have emerged from the bush and took the passengers hostage after allowing the driver and one passenger to go and give information about the incident.

It was further learnt that one of the victims who lives in Lagos, was said to be returning to the state after a naming ceremony of his new-born baby in Warri when he was abducted along with other passengers.

The father of the victim, a retired army colonel, told Vanguard that the kidnappers had made contact and demanded N3 million ransom to set his son free, even as 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.