A whooping ransom of Sixteen million naira has been paid to suspected kidnappers for the release of the 14-year-old girl abducted by during a deadly attack on Uduere Community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.
The family reportedly paid a ransom of N16 million before the teenager was released on Tuesday at about 7-8 p.m. around the Otokutu-Agbarha axis of Ughelli North Local Government Area.
Her release came days after the Uduere community was thrown into panic following the killing of a security guard, Mr. Umukoro Obukohwo Emmanuel and the abduction of the teenager, name withheld.
The victim was reportedly taken away after armed men invaded where the security guard was on duty.
According to family source, “The kidnappers initially demanded N100 million for the girl’s release but following negotiations with the family, the ransom demand was allegedly reduced to N16 million before the teenager was freed.
A source familiar with the negotiations said the victim appeared exhausted but was safely reunited with her family shortly after she was released.
The development has brought relief to residents, many of whom had expressed fears over the rising wave of kidnapping and violent crimes in the area.
They called on security agencies to intensify efforts to track down those responsible for the attack and bring them to justice.
Residents of Uduere urged the Delta State Government and relevant security agencies to strengthen security surveillance in the community and neighbouring communities to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
The Delta State Police Command had yet to officially confirm the release of the teenager as calls to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Edafe Bright were not answered nor returned.