Kidnappers of four pupils, a teacher and a vice-principal of Lagos Junior Model College, Igbonla, Epe, Lagos State, have given a 48-hour ultimatum for payment of ransom placed on their captives.
The ransom demanded for the six victims, who have spent 5 days in the Kidnappers’ den, had also been reduced to N6m.
The pupils, have been identified as Isaac Adebisi, Okonkwo Emmanuel, Abu and Jeremiah; the English Language/Civic Education teacher, Lukman Oyerinde, and the VP, A.O. Oyesola.
The gunmen were said to have also fired a warning shot while conversing with the families on the telephone as the families reportedly begged, promising to pay the ransom, Punch reports.
On Monday it was gathered that one of the schoolboys fell sick in the kidnappers’ hideout, as the attackers warned the families to hurry up on the payment of the ransom.
The kidnappers, who reportedly told the family of the affected schoolboy that they had administered treatment to him, later reduced the ransom to N3.5m for each of the victims.
By Monday, the ransom was reportedly reduced to N1m for each of the victims.
He said, “The men called on Monday and said they gave the family till Wednesday to pay the ransom.
“While the family members begged them, the kidnappers let them realise that the health of the boy had worsened, but they would not release him without a good ransom. They had come down from N3.5m to N1m ransom.
“The boy’s family has been able to raise some money and they were begging the gunmen to accept what they had. I hope the kidnappers will have mercy and consider the condition of the sick pupil, and let him go.”
Another source close to the family of one of the victims, said the family members had raised three-quarter of the ransom, adding that the money was not sourced from the government.
“It is true that they called to warn the parents that the boy’s health is deteriorating. They told them to bring the ransom before Wednesday. The family has been able to raise three-quarter of the money.
“They are rallying round for the remaining sum. Nobody from any quarters is assisting them to raise the ransom. They are begging the kidnappers and trying to meet the deadline.”
Meanwhile, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has ordered the demolition of shanties around creeks and waterways in the state.
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