Ondo: Kidnappers demand N90m ransom for abducted burial guests

Kidnappers who abducted some funeral guests in Ondo State have sought a ransom of N90 million before releasing the victims.

The kidnappers were said to have demanded between N3 million and N10 million on each victim in order to free them.

The victims were abducted in Ifon, Ondo State, a border town with Edo State, while returning from a burial service in Ewatto, Edo State.

According to Mrs. Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, the Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, the state government was not participating in the ransom negotiation when she made this announcement at a news conference in Akure.

According to Olateju, paying a ransom gives kidnappers more authority to continue in their crime.

“The victims went for a burial at Ewatto town. They were returning in a 32-seater Coaster bus hired from Rufus Guwa Polytechnic when they were attacked by suspected kidnappers. The kidnappers shot into the air and took 18 of the passengers.

“Those remaining called the Amotekun Corps who got to the scene within 15 minutes. Among those in the bush, seven were found and two others escaped.”