Crime

Bandits demand motorcycles after getting N5.8m to release 11 victims kidnapped in Abuja

Published

3 months ago

February 3, 2024

Bandits have demanded extra brand-new motorcycles days after receiving the sum of N8.5 million for the release of no fewer than 11 victims kidnapped in Abuja.

Recall that the abductors had forcefully taken no fewer than 23 persons from Kawu community on December 26, 2023.

Four among them had escaped, leaving behind 19 others in captivity. The bandits were said to have threatened to kill the remaining 11 over delayed ransom.

Speaking to Daily Trust on Friday, a family member of one of the victims, Bala Dantani, said a sum of N5 million was raised and handed over to the bandits after they threatened to kill the captives two weeks ago.

According to him, another N3.8 million was taken to the bandits on Tuesday, including food stuff and drugs as well as wines, after the leader had promised to release the victims.

“And while waiting for their calls to tell us locations where to pick the victims on that Tuesday, the man who took the ransom to them came back that the bandits were again demanding for two motorcycles before they will release the remaining 11 victims,” he said.

In a related development, gunmen have killed a police officer in Akwa Ibom State, South-south Nigeria.

The slain officer, an inspector simply identified as Osang, was killed on Wednesday in Uyo, the state capital.

The gunmen gained entry into the slain officer’s compound located in Afaha Ube along Ikot Ekpene Road around 8:30 p.m., shooting sporadically to scare away residents, a source, told Punch newspaper.

The police spokesperson in the state, Odiko Macdon, confirmed the incident to the newspaper, describing it as unfortunate.

Macdon said, the Commissioner of Police in the State, Olatoye Durosinmi, has ordered an investigation over the gruesome murder.

“We have received that information and it is an unfortunate situation. Already, the Commissioner of Police has ordered an investigation and we are committed to ridding the streets of criminal elements.

“We are not deterred by the incident but we are committed to ensuring that, criminally minded persons will account for their actions,” Macdon, a police superintendent said.