Kidnappers Reduce Ransom For Edo North Victims From N100m To N40m
Gunmen who abducted eight residents of Imoga in Edo North on Friday have lowered their initial N100 million ransom demand to N40 million, the Okpahi of Imoga Kingdom, Oba Patrick Abudu, revealed on Tuesday in a telephone interview with PUNCH Metro.
The ransom had previously been reduced from N100 million to N70 million on Monday, and negotiations are ongoing, with hopes of further lowering it to N20 million.
Oba Abudu said community members and other stakeholders were prepared to raise the funds once a final agreement is reached with the kidnappers. He added that the abduction had prevented him from traveling outside the kingdom to attend to other pressing matters.
“We have continued discussions with the kidnappers, and they have now agreed to reduce the ransom to N40 million. Our hope is that it can be further lowered to N20 million,” the monarch stated.
He stressed the urgency of the situation, noting that the safety of the victims remains a top concern, as it has been five days since the abduction.
According to previous reports by PUNCH, the victims were kidnapped at Star Boy Hotel along the Imoga-Ibillo Road in Edo North. They had traveled to Ibillo for an event and decided to spend the night at the hotel, which is owned by a local indigene.
Oba Abudu said the gunmen, dressed in army uniforms and pretending to be visitors, brought drinks and waited for a while before seizing the hotel owner’s phones. They also took the phones of the victims, tied their hands, and led them into the bush.
The Okpahi assured that community members were ready to mobilize the ransom once the final amount is confirmed, while efforts continue to secure the safe release of the abducted residents.
