Abductors of the pregnant wife and four children of the paramount ruler of Esit Eket in Akwa Ibom State, on Wednesday, asked for a multi-million naira ransom for their release.
Illustrative photo of gunmen
Unknown gunmen who kidnapped the pregnant wife and four children of the paramount ruler of Esit Eket, Edidem Ubong Assam in the palace of Akpautong on Friday, reportedly asked for a ransom of N100 million on Wednesday.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, a source close to the monarch’s family disclosed that the kidnappers have opened up for negotiations.
"There is tension and anxiety in the palace. The kidnappers of the monarch’s pregnant wife and children have demanded N100 million ransom before their release. The kidnappers are not ready to bargain the price. They issued threats while talking on phone with members of the royal family," the source said.
Norbert Assam who is a family member, told NAN that the royal father and the entire family cannot afford such huge amount of money.
"They called the family with the phone number of one of the family members in their captive demanding for N100 million. I wonder where they expect the royal father to get such amount of money to pay," he said.
Some members of community, however, expressed worry over the health condition of the pregnant woman, the paramount ruler and the children.
The family has appealed to the state government, oil companies operating in the area and the general public to come to their aid.