Gunmen kidnap hotelier in Minna, demand N50 million ransom

A Minna based hotelier and Director of Phoenix Hotel Limited, Cletus Ojukwu has been kidnapped from his hotel located at the heart of Minna, the Niger State capital by armed men.

The armed men, six in number, stormed the house of their victim, located directly behind the hotel in Tunga area at about 8:30 p.m. and held everyone in the house to ransom before he was whisked away to unknown destination.

According a family source who witnessed how their bread winner was taken away told our correspondent that the kidnappers wanted to go away with the man and his wife but the vehicle could not contained them.

This brings to two the number if kidnap cases so far recorded in the state in the last three months.

It will be recalled that the uncle to the People Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the state, Umaru Nasko, was kidnapped from his residence in Nasko, Magama local government area of the state but was later rescued in Kebbi State.

Meanwhile the kidnappers of Ojukwu have placed N50 million for his release.

When contacted the Public Relation Officer of the Niger State Police Command, ASP Bala Elkana confirmed the kidnap of the Anambra born businessman but he, however, said that the police was on top of the situation.

He disclosed that the police was doing everything possible to ensure that the man would be rescued alive, saying that the family of the victim was in touch with the kidnappers.