Bandits Demand N290 Million, Cough Drugs and Food for Hostages
A group of armed bandits who kidnapped seven residents of Kuduru community in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on December 28 have made outrageous demands for their release.
The bandits are asking for N290 million, drugs and foodstuffs, as well as bed sheets and cardigans, to free the hostages, who include a pregnant woman, three children and four adults.
The hostages have been in captivity for over a month, and their health is deteriorating, according to a community leader who spoke to the media on condition of anonymity.
The leader said the bandits had threatened to kill two of the hostages if their demands were not met on time.
He also said the bandits had contacted the families of the hostages several times, demanding the ransom and the supplies.
He appealed to the authorities to intervene and rescue the hostages, as the community was unable to raise the huge amount of money.
He said the community was grateful for the efforts of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Taoreed Lagbaja, who had deployed security forces to the area.
He also mentioned the recent rescue of six sisters and the Ariyos, who were abducted by bandits in the same area, as a sign of hope.
He urged the government to do more to secure the lives and properties of the citizens, especially in the rural areas, where banditry and kidnapping were rampant.
