The abductors of nine worshipers at St John’s Catholic Church, Ojije in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State have demanded a ransom of N100 million.
According to The PUNCH, the victims, including women and youths, were seized around 2 a.m. on Sunday while holding a vigil at the church.
A family member, who spoke anonymously, said the kidnappers initially demanded N100 million but later reduced it to N30 million during negotiations on Thursday.
“We are now working hard to raise the sum. We are appealing to friends, relatives, corporate organisations, and civil society groups to assist in securing their release,” the source said.
The source added that security personnel have been deployed to the area but the kidnappers have not yet been apprehended.
“We are calling on the government to send more forces to comb the forest and bring the perpetrators to justice,” the source said.
Attempts to get a comment from the Benue State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, the chairman of Ado Local Government, Sunday Oche, said security operatives were working to ensure the safe rescue of the abductees.
