Kidnappers of the 28 travellers in Plateau State are insisting on the payment of N1.5 million ransom for each adult victim now in their custody.
The demand comes a week after the victims, comprising men, women and children, were abducted at Zak community in the Bashar District of Wase Local Government Area, while travelling to Sabon Layi community in the same district to attend a Maulud Nabbiy event.
Reports indicated that their vehicle was intercepted at Zak last Sunday by armed men, who eventually marched them to an unknown destination in the bush.
According to some of the victims’ relatives, the kidnappers first contacted them on Tuesday, demanding N1.5 million per person.
It was gathered that the families reportedly pleaded with the abductors for a reduction in their demands, explaining that they could not raise such huge amount in this hard times.
This is as reliable sources hinted that the Chairman of Wase Local Government Area, Muhammed Hamisu, had disclosed on the same day that security agencies had deployed soldiers and helicopters to search for the victims.
Meanwhile, the Plateau State Police Command has also confirmed that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted travellers and bring to book those responsible for the criminal act.
With the Command indicating that an intelligence-driven team of detectives was immediately mobilised to the area, a relative of one of the victims, Ibrahim Musa, said the kidnappers had called again, insisting that the ransom must be paid in full before the victims can be released.
Speaking on the development, Musa said: “They called again and said they have seen helicopters flying in the bush and searching for the victims.
“They told us, ‘We will not release them until the ransom is paid. That is all we need from you.”
