Kidnappers abduct musician, band members in Abuja, demand N10m

It has been reported that popular Juju musician Omoba De Jombo Beats and his band were abducted on their way to Kogi for a live show.

A social media post by fellow musician Adeyinka Adeboye, popularly known as Boyebest, claims that the kidnappers are requesting N10 million as ransom to free their hostages.

Boyebest shared his shock and worries for their safety on his Instagram account when word of the alleged kidnapping spread.

The incident allegedly occurred on Sunday while the band was travelling to Kogi for a live performance.

“This is so scary. God have mercy. @omobadejumbobeats and his band members were kidnapped on their way to Kogi from Abuja for a performance yesterday. Please, we need help as the kidnappers are demanding a #10 million ransom for each person,” he wrote.

Upon visiting Omoba De Jombo Beats' studio at Silverline Plaza, located along Muhammadu Buhari Way, Garki II, Abuja, a Vanguard reporter discovered that the premises were locked and that his Mercedes Benz, registered RBC 268 SU, was visible, but the tyres were deflated.

The news shocked Ezekiel Oladeji, one of the musician's neighbours.

“Oh, my goodness! I can’t believe it. I hadn’t even realized that he and his band members were missing.

“I last saw him last Friday when he was loading his equipment into the van. This is really shocking and worrying,” Oladeji told Vanguard.

Despite these reports, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, denied the kidnapping allegations.

In a telephone conversation with Vanguard, she said, “No musician or musical band was kidnapped within the nation’s capital.”

The police's denial doesn't change the intense worry for Omoba De Jombo Beats and his band members' safety and prompt return.

Fans and fellow musicians in Nigeria and beyond are hoping for their safe return while the investigations are ongoing.

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