Five days after being incommunicado, abductors of Hosea Ibi, a member of the Taraba State House of Assembly have finally demanded a ransom of N75million for him to be released.
Hosea Ibi, representing Takum I constituency in the assembly was kidnapped by gunmen on Saturday night at his country home in Takum and whisked away on a motor bike to an unknown destination.
It was gathered that the kidnappers had contacted a member of the House who is a close confidant of Ibi to make their demand.
The member, whose name was not revealed to journalists, is said to be coordinating activities aimed at ensuring the abducted lawmaker regains freedom though it is not clear whether the demand of the kidnappers would be met or not.
The state Police Command has however denied knowledge of the demand of the kidnappers insisting that efforts are in top gear to secure the freedom of Ibi.
Fielding questions from journalists in a telephone interview, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), David Misal, said the command is neither aware nor informed of the demand but urged the family not to pay any ransom to the kidnappers.
He assured the family and the entire people of the state that the command is doing everything possible and would not leave any stone unturned to ensure Hosea Ibi is freed from his captors.
Despite huge efforts by security agencies particularly the Police to rid the state of criminal elements, Taraba is fast gaining notoriety for kidnappings in the country.
On February 2, 2016, mother of Taraba State Deputy Governor, eighty-year-old Hajia Beli was kidnapped at her residence in Mutum Biyu, Gassol Local Government in similar circumstances among several other cases of kidnapping.
