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Gunmen kidnapped former minister in Nigeria: police

Xinhua, October 4, 2016 Adjust font size:

The police in Nigeria Tuesday said a former Minister of Environment, Lawrencia Laraba-Mallam and her husband, Pius were on Monday evening kidnapped along the Abuja-Kaduna expressway by unknown gunmen.

Kaduna State police spokesperson Aliyu Usman, who disclosed this to Xinhua, said the former minister and the husband were whisked away while the driver was spared.

Usman said the police was doing all it could to ensure that the couple regained their freedom.

Meanwhile, the kidnappers after establishing contact with the family, had demanded for 10 million naira ( about 32,000 U.S. dollars) as ransom for the release of both the ex-minister and her husband.

Abduction is common in Nigeria. Over 500 foreigners and ransomable citizens have been seized in the Niger Delta since 2006. Almost all have been released unharmed after paying a ransom. Endit