Abductors give families 48-hour ultimatum to pay ransom

isaac dachen

October 11, 2016 11:46 AM

In a bid to get money from families of the victims, the abductors of school children and teachers in Epe have issued ultimatum to the families.

Could the police officers be in cahoot with criminals?

The victims were identified as Isaac Adebisi, Emmanuel Okonkwo, Abu, and Jeremiah, as well as the English Language/Civic Education teacher, Lukman Oyerinde, and the Vice Principal, A.O. Oyesola.

It was gathered that the kidnappers, had reached out to the families demanding a ransom of N5 million each for the release of their captives but after extensive negotiations, they ransom was reduced to N1 million each but with the families not able to raise the money, the kidnappers are said to be running out of patience.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that one of the schoolboys in captivity is seriously ill and the family has reached out to the kidnappers pleading with them to release the boy in exchange for another family member.

The worried family, according to a source, fear the boy could die since he would not get adequate medical attention and are ready to do a swap deal with the abductors, just as they have managed to gather the N1 million the kidnappers demanded but they want the other families to come up with their own part before releasing the victims.

The family source narrated that the kidnappers have given them a 48-hour ultimatum to pay up as the condition of the sick schoolboy had worsened.

“The men called on Monday and said they gave the family until Wednesday to pay the ransom. While the family members begged them, the kidnappers let them realize that the health of the boy had worsened, but they would not release him without a good ransom.

They had come down from N3.5m to N1m ransom. The boy’s family has been able to raise some money and they were begging the gunmen to accept what they had.

I hope the kidnappers will have mercy and consider the condition of the sick pupil, and let him go.”

Also Read: "Lagos Schoolgirls' Kidnap: Principal reveals details of abduction of 3 students"

Another source said the family members had raised three-quarter of the ransom.

“It is true that they called to warn the parents that the boy’s health is deteriorating. They told them to bring the ransom before Wednesday.

The family has been able to raise three-quarter of the money. They are rallying round for the remaining sum.

Nobody from any quarters is assisting them to raise the ransom. They are begging the kidnappers and trying to meet the deadline.”

isaac dachen