One week after the abduction of 28 travellers in Plateau State, their kidnappers have maintained their demand for a ransom of N1.5 million for each adult victim.
The victims, men, women and children were kidnapped last Sunday 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. Their vehicle was reportedly intercepted by armed men, who took them into the bush.
Relatives of the victims said the kidnappers first made contact on Tuesday, demanding N1.5 million per person.
According to the families, they pleaded with the abductors, explaining that they were unable to raise the amount.
On the same day, the Chairman of Wase Local Government, Muhammed Hamisu, disclosed that security agencies had deployed soldiers and helicopters to search for the victims.
The Plateau State Police Command also confirmed on Thursday that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted travellers and apprehend those responsible.
The command said an intelligence-driven team of detectives was immediately mobilised to the area.
However, speaking on the development on Sunday, a relative of one of the victims, Ibrahim Musa told Leadership that the kidnappers had contacted them again, insisting that the ransom must be paid.
He 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.”
Our correspondent reports that relatives of the abducted travellers are still appealing to the kidnappers to release their loved ones, explaining that they are unable to meet the ransom demand due to their poor financial situation.