Abductors of the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Local Government, Madam Serefina Otazi, have reportedly reduced an earlier ransom demand of N100 million to N40 million.
According to family sources, the abductors made the fresh demand when they contacted the family to assure them that the captive was hale and hearty.
Madam Otazi, a cousin of former President Goodluck Jonathan, was abducted by unknown gunmen on December 20, barely 12 hours after the abduction of Nancy Dickson, the younger sister of Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson.
The victim’s relative, Mr Endurance Frank appealed to the abductors to free her in earnest and unconditionally.