The gunmen, who abducted 31 Edo train passengers on Saturday, have reportedly demanded N620m ransom for their release.
The Executive Director, Esan Youth for Good Governance and Social Justice, Benson Odia, disclosed that the kidnappers were demanding N20m for each victim.
Odia however told the Punch that the demand was absurd, calling on the authorities to intensify efforts in rescuing the 31 hostages in the custody of the kidnappers.
According to him, the Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo and the Managing Director, Nigeria Railway Corporation, Fidel Okhiria were at Igueben to assess the situation.
Odia also disclosed that the authorities promised to deploy helicopters on Tuesday to locate where the victims were kept in the bush.
He said, “I can tell you that the kidnappers have demanded N20m, totalling N620m. This is absurd and I don’t know where poor people will be able to raise that amount of money.’’
The Edo state police spokesman, Chidi Nwabuzor had yet to comment on the ransom demand as at the time of filing this report.
CHECKPOINTCHARLEY reported that 32 passengers waiting to board a train from the Igueben station in the Igueben Local Government Area of the state to Warri in Delta State were kidnapped by suspected herdsmen on Saturday evening.
CHECKPOINTCHARLEY 