Kidnappers demand ransom for South Darfuri

Militant tribesmen have demanded a ransom for the six abductees in Mershing locality, South Darfur, after deadly attacks took place earlier this week.

A relative from one of the abductees told Radio Dabanga that the militiamen have contacted the families by phone, and demanded SDG700,000 ($113,780) for their release.

“The person on the phone told us, 'We are keeping them with us in Nabagaya village',” the relative recalled. Nabagaya is near Kass town. He appealed to the local authorities to track down the perpetrators.

Among the abductees are Abaker Mohamed Adam (21), Mohamed Elsenin Moh (25), Mohamed Adam Ali (30), Yousif Adam Khamis (62), and Abdelkarim Mohamed Omar. The name of the sixth kidnapped person is so far unknown.

On Tuesday, troops for the military garrison stationed to protect Kdeneir intervened and exchanged fire with the militiamen, but they were not able to apprehend them, nor could they free the abductees. Three people were shot dead when the militiamen attacked a group of civilians.

Eight people have been killed and many more injured and abducted by rampant Abbala militiamen in South Darfur and west Jebel Marra from last Friday until Tuesday. In another incident, tribesmen kidnapped five farmers in Fallujah on Friday and demanded a ransom for their release.