By Akubulu Ngozi
Abductors of Akwa Ibom prospective corps members have recently demanded a fresh ransom of N10 million each from victims’ parents for the release of the victims.
This is following the abduction of some prospective corps members from Akwa Ibom State on August 17, 2023, on their way to the orientation camp in Sokoto State.
According to information gathered on the issue, the kidnappers on Monday contacted the victims’ parents, demanding the sum of N10 million from each family.
Recall that, over N30.8 million have been collectively paid by the victims’ parents to the abductors.
More so, One of the victim’s family member, Mr. Mfon Friday, during an interactive session with Vanguard Newspaper, disclosed that, a total number of N30.8 million ransom has been paid to the abductors in Uyo so far.
Meanwhile, breaking down the payment made so far to the abductors, Friday revealed that, the sum of N13 million was initially paid and towards the end of October, another sum of N17 million was also paid.
He said, “Remember the first ransom the parents paid was over N13 million and it was paid collectively. But this time, they want the parents to pay N10 million each. Before the end of October, N17 million was paid, making it about N30.8 million so far paid yet not free.”
Despite all payments made, Friday said that, up till this moment, the prospective corps members and the driver are still been held hostage by their abductors.
Also, Friday revealed that the victims have
now spent over 100 days in Zamfara Bush since their kidnap, disclosing that, since the incident, the captors have only released one of the girls.
He also disclosed that the abductors have threatened to leave the victims to die if the parents do not pay the ransom at the said time.
However, the troubled parents, who lamented over the impending hardship in the country, called on the Federal and State Governments to do something to save the lives of the young graduates.