In order to release the victims, the kidnappers reportedly demanded between N3 million and N10 million for each of them.
The victims were returning from a burial ceremony in Ewatto, Edo State when they were waylaid at Ifon, Ondo State, a border town with Edo State over the weekend.
Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, who disclosed this at a press briefing in Akure on Monday, said the state government was not involved in the ransom negotiation.
Olateju stated that payment of ransom empowered kidnappers to do more harm.
