By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Bandits in Zamfara State, northern Nigeria, have said they will keep their abductees in custody till their family members and loved ones provide the new Naira notes as ransom.
The victims numbering about four were abducted from Kolo village of Gusau Local Government Area of the state.
Our correspondent gathered that the bandits had earlier placed a ransom of N10m on the victims, but reduced it to N5m after several negotiations.
Confusion however started when the bandits sent a message on Tuesday, informing the community that they (bandits) were not ready to receive the old notes which the community members were apparently making efforts to get through communal efforts.
They rather opted to wait till the new notes officially unveiled on Wednesday by President Muhammadu Buhari comes into circulation next month, a source said.
“As we were trying to gather the money demanded by the terrorists, they sent another message that they would not collect old naira notes,” said the source.
“They said that they would keep the abducted persons in their camps until next month December when the new naira notes would be in circulation.”
No official statement has been released by the office of the Commissioner of Police in Zamfara, CP Yusuf Kolo.
