Kogi State police command has confirmed the kidnap of the owner of Always Petroleum, Mohammed Idris, on Saturday, in Okene, Kogi State, a second time in two years.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP William Aya told The Guardian, yesterday, in Lokoja, the state capital, that Idris was whisked away by the kidnappers, despite efforts by neighbours to resist the abduction.

This is the second time in less than two years the businessman would be kidnapped by gunmen. The first was in 2019.

A family source, who craved anonymity, had earlier told The Guardian that men with sophisticated guns stormed the man’s residence and whisked him away.

The source said the kidnapers manhandled Idris, who is also the chairman of, North Central Table Tennis Association (NCTTA), before taking him away.

Aya said he had no information as to whether any contact had been made to the family, but said that efforts to rescue him had begun.