Kidnappers Of 28 Plateau Travellers Slash Ransom To N30m, Demands 3 Brand New Motorcycles

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

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

The victims, including men, women and children, were heading to Sabon Layi community of same Bashar District in Wase LGA 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 area, Hon. Muhammed Hamisu, had on Tuesday last week said helicopters and soldiers have been deployed to locate the victims.

Besides, the Plateau 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 have slashed the ransom to N30m and asked the relatives to add 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 little amount, but they have refused to agree. We are really in tension. Even if the money is provided, there is no certainty if they would release them because last year, my father was abducted and ₦3m was demanded. We paid, and even at that, they killed my father. We are confused indeed. Only God can help us.”