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Members of a gang of kidnappers who abducted a medical doctor in Edo State have called on members of the family of their captive to send them enough airtime to recharge their mobile phones to facilitate transactions on his release between both parties.

Cases of kidnapping, which seemed to have abated during the election, suddenly rose again as a retired permanent secretary in the state ministry of health, Momoh Daudu, was kidnapped over the weekend.

For this reason, the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the weekend called for a total overhauling of all security agencies in the state, saying it is apparent that they have failed in checking the rising spate of kidnapping and armed robbery in the state.

Family sources said that the abductors of the medical doctor are demanding for an undisclosed amount of money as ransom and also airtime with which to communicate with members of his family.

The Edo State chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has condemned the abduction of Mr Daudu. A statement signed by the state chairman of the NMA, Philip Ugbodaga, made available to NEXT, described his abduction as “one too many,” adding that the incident has again brought to the fore “the worsening state of insecurity in Edo.” The statement went on to call on the abductors of Mr Daudu “to immediately free him unconditionally,” saying that neither “the NMA nor the family of Dr Daudu is prepared to negotiate any payment of ransom for his release.”

Overhaul the system

The medical practitioners therefore called for “a total overhauling of the entire security network in Edo state and for improved funding and equipping of the relevant security agencies in the state for optimal performance,” in order to stem the rising spate of crime in the state.

As at the time of filling this report, it was not known if the family members of the abducted doctor have reached an agreement with the kidnappers on an amount as ransom money or sent recharge cards to them as demanded.

The spokesman of the Edo State police command, Peter Ogboi, could not be reached on his mobile phone for comment as it was said to be unavailable.