Unknown gunmen suspected to be bandits who attacked and abducted 31 passengers at the Igueben train station in Edo State on Saturday have allegedly demanded N620 million ransom for their release.
It was gathered on Monday that the criminals had presented their demands to the families of the abductees.
Speaking with The PUNCH, the Executive Director, Esan Youth for Good Governance and Social Justice, Benson Odia, disclosed that the kidnappers were demanding N20m for each victim.
Odia stated that the demand was absurd, calling on the authorities to intensify efforts in rescuing the 31 hostages in the custody of the kidnappers.
He also said that the Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo and the Managing Director, Nigeria Railway Corporation, Fidel Okhiria were at Igueben to assess the situation.
Odia said 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 could not confirm the veracity of the claim.
However, the Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, on Monday disclosed that six victims had been rescued, adding that efforts were ongoing to rescue the remaining 26 victims.