Suspected kidnappers, who abducted nine worshippers from St. John’s Catholic Church in Ojije, Utonkon, Ado Local Government Area of Benue State, have reportedly demanded a ransom of N100 million for their release.
DAILY POST gathered on Thursday that the victims, mainly women and young people, were seized while observing a night vigil at the church around 2:00 a.m. on Sunday.
A relative of one of the abducted worshippers, who requested anonymity, disclosed that the kidnappers first contacted the families on Wednesday with a demand for N100 million.
The source further revealed that after prolonged discussions in the early hours of Thursday, the abductors agreed to lower their demand to N30 million.
“This is the situation we found ourselves in now. It was only yesterday (Wednesday) that they contacted us and demanded N100m,” the source disclosed, adding, “after negotiation, they reduced the ransom to N30m, which is what we are now working hard to raise.
“We are seeking assistance from friends, relatives, and the wider public. We are also appealing to public-spirited individuals, corporate organisations, and civil society groups to come to the aid of the abductees.”
The family member also expressed concern over the slow pace of rescue efforts, noting that security operatives have been deployed but are yet to achieve results.
“Security agencies have been deployed to the area, but they have yet to apprehend the kidnappers and rescue our people.
“We are calling on the government to deploy more personnel to comb the forest and bring the perpetrators to justice,” he said.
Attempts to obtain a response from the spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, Udeme Edet were unsuccessful, as calls to her phone were not answered.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Ado Local Government Area, Sunday Oche, declined to comment on the ransom demand.
However, he assured that security agencies were intensifying efforts to secure the safe release of the victims.
Abductors slash ransom from N100m to N30m for abducted worshippers in Benue
