Kidnappers have demanded a ransom of between N3 million and N10 million from each of the 18 persons who were abducted in Ondo State.
Newsflash Nigeria had earlier reported that kidnappers have abducted 32 persons on Benin-Ifon road in Ifon in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The incident occurred on Saturday evening when the victims were said to be returning from a burial ceremony in Ewatto, Edo State.
The kidnappers were said to have demanded between N3 million and N10 million from each victim to free them.
According to Mrs Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, the Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, the state government was not participating in the ransom negotiation when she made this announcement at a news conference in Akure.
According to Olateju, paying a ransom gives kidnappers more authority to continue in their crimes.
“The victims went for burial at Ewatto town. They were returning in a 32-seater Coaster bus hired from Rufus Guwa Polytechnic when they were attacked by suspected kidnappers. The kidnappers shot into the air and took 18 of the passengers.
“Those remaining called the Amotekun Corps who got to the scene within 15 minutes. Among those in the bush, seven were found and two others escaped.”
