Gunmen kidnap The Nation marketer

Two gunmen abducted yesterday, a marketer with The Nation, Mrs Joke Ajayi.

She was said to have been abducted in the Latoogun area of Ijebu Ode in Ijebu Ode Local Government area of the Ogun State.

The woman was said to be on her way to where newspaper agents converge to collect papers around 5.30am when she was abducted.

A colleague, who was with her, said she was asked to lie face-down when they were taking her away.

She said the gunmen came in an Opel Astra car.

The witness said she could not identify the car’s colour because it was still dark.

Mrs Ajayi’s colleague, Abdul-Rasaq Oyeneyin, who spoke with the abductors, said they initially demanded N50 million, but when he called back, it was reduced to N20 million.

He said the woman’s abduction paralysed activities yesterday as most of the marketers were running around to ensure her release. The incident has been reported at Igbeba Police Station.

“We have been praying since morning and we could not even eat. We are helpless. We are going through hell. We are sad. We need help. She is a single mother who is struggling to survive. Where do you think she can get such amount of money?” he queried.

Police spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi could not be reached for comment.