Abductors of eight members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, in Zamfara state have demanded N200 million more to free their victims.
The corp members were kidnapped on August 17 on their way to the NYSC orientation camp in the state.
Amidst the widespread condemnation that has trailed the abduction, and the ongoing search by security agencies to locate where the NYSC are being held, the kidnappers have been paid N13 million ransome, according to those familiar with the incident.
They now want more as a condition to free the abductees, according to a report by Vanguard.
The newspaper reports that frustrated family members have become more desperate to get their wards out from the kidnappers captivity.
The publication quoted a brother to one of the victims: “We don’t know how we are going to raise that kind of money. Everybody was shocked when two parents, who have been over there since the incident happened, told us that after they released the balance of N8 million (to make up the N13 million ransom negotiated), they waited for long for the kidnappers to release our brothers and sisters, but they didn’t.
“They said instead, the kidnappers contacted them to demand N200 million ransom. 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, and some even collected loans to raise the N13 million.
“We have not received any help from the government. We found it difficult to raise that N13 million. So, how are we going to raise this fresh ransom of N200 million? We have deliberately kept this development from my mother. I don’t think that poor widow will survive if she hears this. We are suffering.
Recall that 11 corps members were kidnapped, but three managed to escape.
Aside from the eight corps members, the driver of the bus was also abducted.
Meanwhile, close watchers of the incident said the abductees could remain in the den of the kidnappers indefinitely due to the decision of the state government not to negotiate with bandits and terrorists.
The Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration vowed not to negotiate with criminals since it came to office in May this year.
