Gunmen who abducted a newly called-to-the-bar lawyer, Peace Onyesom, and her sister, Gift Onyesom, along the Okene-Auchi Road in Kogi State are demanding a ransom of ₦40 million for their release.
The incident occurred on Friday, September 27, while Peace was returning from the Call-to-the-Bar ceremony held on September 23.
Speaking to Punch on Sunday, September 28, the victims’ sister, Adaeze Onyesom, narrated that Gift had been in contact with another sibling until communication was abruptly cut off. Shortly after, a man claiming to be a policeman picked the call and informed them that her phone was recovered in the bus and that she had been kidnapped.
Adaeze revealed that the kidnappers initially demanded ₦100 million but later reduced it to ₦20 million each for the two sisters, totaling ₦40 million.
“When they first contacted us on Friday evening, they asked for ₦100 million. We pleaded with them, and on Saturday they reduced it to ₦20 million. We told them we could only raise ₦3 million, but they refused. Later, they insisted on ₦20 million for each person,” she said.
She added that the abductors allowed the family to speak with the victims, who pleaded for their release, while the family has resorted to selling property to raise money.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force confirmed that eight other kidnapped victims from the same incident had been rescued, while efforts are ongoing to secure the release of Peace, Gift, and two others still in captivity.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, assured that rescue operations are in “top gear” to ensure the safe return of the victims.
Nonsense