Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted nine mourners accompanying the remains of a late Deputy Corps Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Augustine Ikwue, to his hometown in Otukpo, Benue State.The victims, including two FRSC personnel, were reportedly travelling with the officer’s remains when their vehicle was ambushed along the Ochadamu–Ejule Road in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State at about 6 p.m. on Thursday.Ikwue reportedly died in Osogbo, Osun State, following a brief illness and was being transported home for burial when the attack occurred.The kidnappers later contacted the family using the deceased officer’s mobile phone and demanded N450 million for the release of those abducted.Confirming the incident, the Kogi State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Lawal Fagge, said the officer’s remains were abandoned near Ejule community and recovered on Friday after an intensive search.According to a report by SaharaReporters, Fagge disclosed that the corpse was subsequently handed over to the family and buried in Otukpo on Saturday.“We recovered the corpse of the officer in Ejule community on Friday after a frantic search and handed it over to the family. He was buried on Saturday in his hometown, Otukpo, Benue State,” he said.Fagge added that the abductors contacted the officer’s wife and demanded a large ransom for the release of the captives.Daily Trust also reported that the kidnappers demanded N450 million from the family.Security operatives, including personnel of the Nigerian Army and police, as well as local hunters and vigilantes, have reportedly been deployed to the area to rescue the victims and apprehend those responsible for the attack.The incident has generated public concern, with residents and other Nigerians condemning the attack on mourners and describing it as a disturbing demonstration of the worsening insecurity in the area.