Gunmen who abducted two indigenes of the Abavo community, Ika South Local Government Area, Delta State, are insisting on the full payment of the N7m ransom fee earlier demanded for the release of the kidnapped victim.
One Mrs Anthonia Jegbefume was kidnapped a week ago at her Okpe-Abavo residence by the gunmen who also shot dead her 55-year-old husband, Mr Friday Jegbefume.
It was learnt that the kidnappers released the woman at the weekend and abducted the two persons who had brought the sum of N1.7m the family was only able to raise, for failing to bring the full amount they demanded.
Sources who pleaded anonymity said that one of the persons currently being held hostage is a relative of the woman and the other, is a member of the deceased husband’s family.
Speaking on the development, a notable leader of the Abavo Clan Union, who did not want his name mentioned, told our correspondent that the kidnappers were asking for the balance of N5.3m.
He said: “The kidnappers released the woman and took the people who went to pay the ransom fee.“They had asked for N7m and the family was able to raise N1.7m. When they gave the N1.7m to them, they held those who brought the money and asked for the remaining N5.3m.”
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the state command, SP Bright Edafe, could not speak on the development as of the time of filing this report.
