By Suleyman Dunoma/Abuja
Kidnappers of eight Akwa Ibom State graduates, abducted in Zamfara State, have demanded an additional N200 million as ransom, after collecting N13 million earlier paid by the victims’ families.
The victims were kidnapped on August 17 on their way to Sokoto State for the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Orientation Camp.
A brother to one of the victims told Vanguard on condition of anonymity, on Wednesday, that the abductors were also demanding N200 million additional ransom to release the seven corps members and the Akwa Ibom Transport Company, AKTC, bus driver being held captive.
The source said: “We don’t know how we are going to raise that kind of money. Everybody was shocked when two parents, who have been over there since the incident happened told us that after they released the balance N8 million (to make up N13 million ransom negotiated) they waited for long for the kidnappers to release our brothers and sisters, but they didn’t.
“They said instead, the kidnappers contacted them to demand N200 million ransom. We have paid N13 million already.
“First, we paid N5 million, later N8 million to make up the N13 million. Some parents sold their lands, some even collected loan to raise the N13 million.
“We have not received any help from government. We found it difficult to raise that N13 million.
“So, how are we going to raise this fresh ransom of N200 million? We have deliberately kept this development from my mother. I don’t think that poor widow will survive if she hears this. We are suffering and helpless.”
