Bandits who abducted seven residents of the Kuduru community in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on December 28 have issued a ransom demand of N290 million, along with requests for drugs, foodstuffs, and other supplies, for the release of the hostages.
News About Nigeria reports that the victims, which include a pregnant woman, three children, and four adults, have been in captivity for one month and four days.
A community leader, who chose to remain anonymous, told Vanguard that the bandits had threatened to kill two of the victims if their demands were not met within a given timeframe.
The kidnappers specified their requirements, which included the N290 million ransom, bags of rice, packs of Indomie noodles, cough syrups, antibiotics, as well as bed sheets and cardigans for their own use.
Expressing concern for the safety of the hostages, the community leader pleaded for urgent intervention from key security figures, including Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun and Chief of Army Staff Taoreed Lagbaja.
He acknowledged the efforts being made but stressed the deteriorating health conditions of the captives due to the harsh weather and treatment in captivity.
Meanwhile, kidnappers demanded the sum of N100 million for the release of the five pupils from Apostolic Faith Group of Schools, Emure Ekiti, and four staff who were abducted on Monday.
News About Nigeria reported that the abduction occurred as the school bus, transporting 25 pupils home after school hours, was ambushed by gunmen in the Emure community.
The kidnappers shot the vehicle’s tyre, forcing the children and staff to disembark.
Boje Olanireti, the principal of the secondary section of the school, confirmed the ransom demand in an interview with Punch on Tuesday.
According to Olanireti, the kidnappers selected five students—two from the secondary section and three from the primary section—and four staff members, including two teachers, one driver, and one bus assistant.
The remaining students were told to leave the scene.
The kidnappers subsequently contacted the family of one of the schoolchildren, demanding N10 million per victim.
However, when they spoke with the headmaster, the ransom demand was raised to N100 million for all the captives.
