The kidnappers who abducted eight Akwa Ibom State graduates on their way to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp in Sokoto State have now demanded an extra N200 million in ransom, even after collecting N13 million from the victims’ families…..CONTINUE READING....CONTINUE READING
These prospective corps members were abducted on August 17, 2023, in Zamfara State and have endured 26 days in captivity. The abducted individuals include Abigail Peter Sandy, Uyoobong Victor Udofia, Daniel Etim Bassey, Sabanah Anyaewe Monday, Emmanuel Esudue, Victoria Udoka, Solomon Bassey Daniel, and Glory Etukudo Thomas.
A family member of one of the victims, who spoke anonymously, revealed to Vanguard on Tuesday, September 12, that the kidnappers are now demanding an additional N200 million to release the eight corps members and the Akwa Ibom Transport Company (AKTC) bus driver, Udeme Umoren, who was also kidnapped.
The source expressed shock and concern over the kidnappers’ increased ransom demand, especially since the families had already paid N13 million in ransom. Families had struggled to gather this amount, with some selling their land and others taking out loans to meet the kidnappers’ initial demands.
The families have not received any assistance from the government, and the new demand of N200 million has left them feeling helpless and desperate. They have kept this development from one victim’s poor widow mother, fearing the news might be too much for her to bear.
Another relative, close to the parents of one of the victims, shared that the families were deeply worried after learning that their children’s health was deteriorating due to the conditions in which they were being held captive. The families have resorted to fasting and prayers, believing that divine intervention is their only hope, as they do not have the financial means to meet the kidnappers’ new demand.
To provide context, the captors initially gave the families until September 6 to pay the outstanding N8 million after receiving N5 million of the initially negotiated N13 million ransom. Upon the families’ inability to meet this deadline, the kidnappers extended it to September 9, 2023, in response to the parents’ pleas for more time to raise the remaining funds…..CONTINUE READING
