The abductors of four Turkish expatriates in Gbale village, Edu local government area of Kwara State have demanded N16 million ransom to free their captives.
A community leader in Lafiagi, the Headquarters of Edu local government reportedly told an online media.
Kwara State Police Command has however denied knowledge of ransom being demanded by the abductors.
The Police Command said it had warned the families of the abducted expatriates to refrain from paying ransom to anyone.
The spokesman of the Kwara State Police Command, Ajayi Okasanmi said that they were working assiduously to effect safe release of the victims.
It will be recalled that the Turkish nationals were abducted at a local drinking joint by a six-man armed gang on Saturday at about 10 in the night.
The kidnap victims, identified as construction workers with the Instabul Concrete Limited in the village, are Yasin Colak (33); Senerapal (40); Ergun Yurdakul (35) and Seyit Keklik (25).
“For now, the Police is working round the clock to make sure the abductees are released unhurt and alive. That is what I can say for now. We don’t want to give out information that will jeopardize the safe release of the Turkish nationals,” Okasanmi stated.
The Lafiagi community leader in Lafiagi, who did not want his name in print, expressed dissatisfaction on the matter, saying such development was an eyesore to the community.
“We are very disturbed concerning the incident. I heard that the kidnappers have contacted the company demanding for N4 million per head. I can’t say much on it because I am not in town presently”, he stated.
Recalling the incident he added that “on that fateful evening, we were told by other people who had scampered for their safety that some gunmen who looked like Fulani herdsmen had taken the Turkish to unknown destinations.
“Meanwhile, the victims were drinking at a local joint when the gunmen invaded the area and kidnapped them at that time.
“The Police in joint work with local Vigilante Group of Nigeria are now in serious search to rescue the victims. They have been searching around while some security operatives are in the bush for the same mission”
Also speaking on the development, the Vice President of Vigilante Group Nigeria, Saka Ibrahim stated that the vigilance group corps in the local government area are teaming up with the Police officers to ensure the victims are rescued.
