In a distressing development, the criminals who kidnapped eight graduates from Akwa Ibom en route to their NYSC camp have increased their ransom demand to an astounding N200 million, after N13 million was already paid by the victims’ families.
The aspiring corps members were abducted in Zamfara State on August 17, 2023, and have since endured 26 harrowing days in captivity.
Among the victims are Abigail Peter Sandy, Uyoobong Victor Udofia, Daniel Etim Bassey, Sabanah Anyaewe Monday, Emmanuel Esudue, Victoria Udoka, Solomon Bassey Daniel, and Glory Etukudo Thomas.
A close relative of one of the victims, speaking anonymously, revealed that the kidnappers had raised their ransom demand to N200 million for the release of the eight corps members and Udeme Umoren, the AKTC bus driver who was also abducted.
“We don’t know how we are going to raise that kind of money,” the source lamented. “We have paid N13 million already. First, we paid N5 million, later N8 million to make up the N13 million. Some parents sold their lands, some even collected loans to raise the N13 million.”
The families had been given an initial deadline of September 6 to pay the remaining N8 million, but unable to meet it, they pleaded for an extension until September 9, 2023. Now, with the demand for an additional N200 million, their anguish deepens as they grapple with the financial impossibility of the situation.
The victims’ families are resorting to prayers and fasting, deeply concerned about their children’s deteriorating health in captivity. The already dire situation becomes increasingly desperate with this staggering new ransom demand.