The abductors of three members of Living Faith Church (also known as Winners Chapel) in Kogi State have reached out to their families. Two of them are said to be students of Kogi State Polytechnic (Itakpe campus). Meanwhile, the other person was said to be a non-academic staff of Confluence University of Science and Technology.
According to reports, the three of them were kidnapped on Sunday at the church located in Osara community, Adavi LGA of Kogi state during a night rehearsal. Initially, the gunmen had demanded 30 million naira as ransom. However, the ransom was recently reduced to 3 million naira after much pleading.
A family member of one of the abducted students confirmed that the gunmen had reached out to them. He also spoke to The Punch on the condition of anonymity saying,
“They actually demanded N30million. Some relatives who engaged the kidnappers begged and it was reduced to N1million for each of the abductees. One of the parents begged that they accept N100,000 ransom for each of them.
‘’ They threatened to kill the victims so we begged that they spare them while we run around to raise money. Even the N100,000 is beyond my reach as a civil servant.’’
He continued, “Kemi’s grandfather died on Monday and her father had to rush to Kwara state, leaving her mother and brother to continue with negotiations. We believe in God and prayers because at the moment, most of us are confused. We are still appealing to them to reduce the ransom as we prayerfully hope help will come our way to raise the ransom demanded.”
Besides, he disclosed that the same kidnappers seized a man in the vicinity last week. However, he could not communicate with any of his relatives as he did not own a phone. Since the kidnappers could not contact anyone for his ransom, he was returned. The students and varsity staff were later kidnapped.
The police public relations officer of the state, DSP William Aya, affirmed that efforts are being made to secure the release of the abductees.
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