A senior official of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Muhammed Ajoge, has been kidnapped by unidentified gunmen while traveling along the Abuja-Lokoja expressway.
Ajoge, who was assigned to the bank’s Wuse II branch in Abuja, was reportedly abducted while en route to his hometown in Kogi State.
The incident occurred around 2 p.m. three days ago as he was traveling alone to Okene to visit his father.
Sources revealed that the banker, who recently lost his mother, was waylaid by the armed attackers, forced out of his vehicle, and taken into the forest at gunpoint.
A family member, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the abduction, describing the ordeal as a distressing situation for the family.
According to reports, the kidnappers used Ajoge’s phone to contact his wife, demanding a ransom of ₦30 million.
An initial offer of ₦5 million from the family was outrightly rejected by the abductors, who insisted on receiving the full amount.
When contacted about the incident, Ajoge’s colleagues at FCMB clarified that his journey was a personal one and not related to official duties.
As a result, the bank stated that it could not directly intervene in negotiations or law enforcement actions without the family’s consent.
In response to an inquiry on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, FCMB assured that it was closely monitoring the situation.
“Thank you for reaching out. Please be assured that we take this matter very seriously.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Ajoge and his family, and we remain hopeful for his safe return.
“This is receiving urgent attention,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, security agencies have yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.
(AFRIPOST)