Kidnappers Of 28 Plateau Travellers Slash Ransom, Demand Motorcycles

Kidnappers of the 28 travellers abducted in the Zak community of Wase local government area of Plateau State have slashed the ransom from N42 million to N30 million.

They also demanded from the victims’ relatives to provide three new motorcycles in addition to the N30 million.

The victims, including men, women and children, were heading to the Sabon Layi community of the same Bashar district to attend a Maulud event when their abductors intercepted their vehicle and took them to their den.

The kidnappers had previously contacted the victims’ relatives, demanding N1.5m ransom per person, a demand the relatives said they could not afford, pleading with the kidnappers to release the victims.

Meanwhile, the chairman of Wase Local Government, Hon. Muhammed Hamisu, had also stated on Tuesday last week that helicopters and soldiers have been deployed to locate the victims.

Besides, the state police command had on Thursday last week disclosed that efforts were underway to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators, explaining that an intelligence-driven team of detectives was promptly mobilised to the scene.

However, on Wednesday, the kidnappers slashed the ransom to N30m and asked the relatives to top up with three new brand motorcycles.

Babawo Gwadabe, a resident of Zak community whose seven nephews and nieces were among the victims, said the kidnappers have also demanded three motorcycles in addition to the money as a condition to release the abductees.

He said, “We don’t have that amount. It is huge. The community and relatives have raised a small amount, but they have refused to agree. We are really in tension. Even if the money is provided, there is no certainty that they will release them because last year, my father was abducted and N3m was demanded. We paid, and even at that, they killed my father.

We are confused indeed. Only God can help us,” Gwadabe said.