Central Darfur kidnappers raise ransom

Kidnappers have raised the ransom for the release of seven abductees from Nierteti in Central Darfur. The seven people were abducted by militiamen as they returned from tending their farms in the area of Kombo Ghabat. Witnesses and relatives told Radio Dabanga that the gunmen killed two farmers outright, before abducting eight people. One woman was then released after being raped. The kidnappers demanded the payment of SDG 75,000 SDG ($13,000) as ransom for their release. The kidnappers reportedly claim they have a relative who was killed during recent fighting with the armed movements. Following pressure from the Commissioner of the locality and security officials, the relatives acquiesced and agreed to pay the blood money, however the kidnappers raised the ransom to SDG 180,000 SDG ($30,000) ‘to be paid in full’ for the release of the seven remaining abductees, including two women. File photo: Farming in Darfur (Albert Gonzalez Farran / Unamid)Related: Janjaweed shoot five, kidnap two in Darfur (11 September 2014)