Abductors of the National Treasurer of the Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU), Mr Mike Ederiwhevwe, have demanded N50 million as ransom to set him free.
The Public Relations Officer of the Delta State Police Command, DSP. Celestina Kalu, made the announcement while speaking with newsmen on Tuesday in Warri.
Kalu said that the kidnappers had contacted the family of the victim, demanding the ransom.
Ederiwhevwe was allegedly abducted on June 22 by gunmen in Ugolo Community in the Okpe Local Government Area of Delta while returning from a meeting.
”We are making progress in our investigation. We are on the trail of the kidnappers for the safe release of Mr Ederiwhevwe.
”The abductors have made contact with the family and are demanding N50 million as ransom.
”The command will not succumb to paying of ransom to any group of criminals,” she said.
Kalu assured that the victim would be released from his captors unhurt and unconditionally.
Ederiwhevwe is a retired staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.
Reacting to the development, the National President of the Urhobo Monitoring and Development Group, Mr Kingsley Oberuruaria, described the abduction as an abomination to Urhobo nation.
Oberuruaria in a statement in Warri, appealed to the kidnappers to immediately release Ederiwhevwe unconditionally.