The family of a 60-year-old man who was kidnapped on February 1, has claimed that the police demanded a bribe of N50,000 to assist in tracing the victim.
Ahọn, a retired civil servant, was abducted in the Mpape district while on his way from Abuja to Lagos.
His family reported the kidnapping to the Mpape police division, where they alleged that the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) requested a deposit of N50,000.
“We went to the police in Mpape division so they can help track the number but as usual they are asking for money. The DCO is asking for N50,000 deposit to track,” his wife, Mrs Senami Ahon told Premium Times.
She added: “He is just a common public servant who has retired but had to go back as contract staff so he could fend for his family.
“He wanted to give his children some money and be with them but unfortunately, he couldn’t get to his children and he couldn’t get back home,” his 48-year-old wife said.
According to the family, the DCO explained that this amount was necessary to engage the State Security Service (SSS) for a more effective investigation.
The family expressed frustration over the demand for money and claimed that the police officer indicated the need to settle the SSS, which would also require financial consideration.
While grappling with the situation, the family received further distressing news as the kidnappers demanded a N100 million ransom for the safe release of Mr. Ahọn.
A neighbour who asked to be anonymous said: “It was early morning on Sunday when the wife was contacted through the man’s phone by the kidnappers who told her they were holding her husband and that if she wanted him alive she should go and look for N100 million and must not tell anyone.
“She told them they should let her hear from her husband to believe their story but they hung up the call.
“On Monday, the kidnappers called back and gave the phone to the man who was crying, lamenting of torture and begging his wife to go and look for what they demanded.
“They called around the same time yesterday (Monday) and threatened the woman before they allowed her to speak with her husband who was crying and wailing, seriously complaining of torture.
“The husband begged her to please look for money so he can be released and that’s where we are now.”
The family has been given a deadline to meet the ransom demand, and failure to comply may result in harm to the victim.
