Terrorists who abducted nine worshippers from St John’s Catholic Church, Ojije, in Utonkon, Ado Local Government Area of Benue State, have demanded a ransom of N100 million.
The victims, mostly women and youths, were reportedly holding a night vigil when they were seized at about 2 a.m. on Sunday.
A family member of one of the abductees, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the terrorists first contacted the families on Wednesday with the N100 million demand.
The source added that after negotiations in the early hours of Thursday, the ransom was reduced to N30 million.
“We only heard from them yesterday (Wednesday) when they demanded N100 million,” the source said. “After negotiations, they agreed to N30 million, which we are now struggling to raise.
“We are appealing to friends, relatives, well-meaning individuals, corporate bodies, and civil society groups to assist in securing their release.”
The family member also noted that although security operatives had been deployed to the area, the terrorists had yet to be apprehended or the victims rescued, urging the government to intensify efforts by sending more personnel to comb the surrounding forests.
Attempts to get a reaction from the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Udeme Edet, were unsuccessful as calls to her phone went unanswered.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Ado Local Government Area, Sunday Oche, declined to comment on the ransom but assured that security agencies were working to ensure the safe return of the abductees.