Gunmen who kidnapped 11 passengers on Friday along the Nasarawa-Benue borders have reportedly demanded N50m ransom for each of the victims.
PUNCH Metro had reported that the passengers boarded a bus in Jos, Plateau State, and were heading for Onitsha, Anambra State, when they were attacked.
Our correspondent learnt that the kidnappers first contacted the transport company and demanded N50m ransom for each of the abducted passengers.
The hoodlums were said to have later called the families of the victims to demand the money.
Some of the families told our correspondent that they were struggling to raise the money after a series of negotiations with the kidnappers.
A man, whose mother was among the victims and spoke on condition of anonymity for security purposes, said it had been difficult living without her.
He said, “My mother was going for a burial when they were attacked and kidnapped. Even the vehicle carrying the corpse they were taking home was in front of their bus when the incident happened. After the ambulance passed the spot where the gunmen were hiding, the bus carrying my mother and the other passengers was stopped by the kidnappers.”
A father, who also asked not to be identified, said his son was returning to school when he was kidnapped.
“He was sick when ASUU called off its strike. He told me that he would manage to go back to school just to know the situation of things in the school. His kidnap has been traumatic for us,” he added.
The Plateau State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Alabo Alfred, referred our correspondent to the Benue State Police Command, saying the incident did not happen in his jurisdiction.
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