Families of kidnapped Customs officers raise alarm over safety

Families of kidnapped Customs officers in Yobe State have expressed worry that they may be killed by their abductors who are suspected insurgents if there is no quick rescue mission.

Abubakar Abba Ismail, Jimoh Folowosele and others were abducted on February 9, 2021 by suspected Boko Haram insurgents while they were on official duty in the Geidam area of the state.

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Family members said the abduction of the officers had devastated them, and appealed to the Nigerian Customs Service and the police to intensify efforts to secure their release, fearing that time may be running out.

Speaking with one of our correspondents via phone yesterday, one of the family members who didn’t want to be named, said they were worried about their safety and called for urgent rescue efforts.

He said, “I cannot describe how devastated our aged mother has been. She has lost sleep. And his wife and children have been thrown into tears since the event occurred.

“Hardly a day passes without his young children asking about their father; I am the one consoling them.’’

He said the Customs command told him that it had informed the headquarters formally and they were making effort to secure their release safely.

Folowosele’s brother, Idowu, told newsmen in Ado Ekiti that the family had not received any official correspondence from the Customs.

Efforts to speak to the Nigerian Customs Service, Yobe State command were not successful as its spokesperson did not respond to calls.