The seven abducted passengers on board a vehicle of Benue State transport system, Benue Links, have been released after their families reportedly paid N5 million ransom.
The victims were kidnapped between Kabba and Ayere in Kogi State on Tuesday, March 29, on their way to Lagos.
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This was barely one week after a similar kidnap of six passengers in Ochadamu in Kogi who were on board Benue Links travelling to Lagos. They were reportedly released after an undisclosed amount was paid as ransom.
It was however gathered that the captors of the seven passengers opened talks with the victims’ families and demanded N5million for a pastor and his son who were among the captives.
Wife of the abducted pastor, Mrs Hannah Orhena, had earlier confirmed that the abductors of her husband and son demanded N5 million for their release but she negotiated for N500,000 and that they refused.
Orhena however could not be reached again at the time of this report to comment on the release of her husband and son.
But, a relative of the abducted clergy on Monday confirmed to our correspondent that the victims had regained their freedom after spending days in captivity.
The relative, who did not want his name in print said, the sum of N1million was eventually paid as ransom for the release of the pastor and his son, adding that the remaining five people paid N4million to regain their freedom.
“In total, the victims paid N5 million ransom. For fear of their lives, we didn’t involve the police in the process,” the relative said.
