Two billion SDG demanded for kidnapped soldiers

The Jordanian Media Centre for Security (JMCS) said preliminary investigations revealed the Jordanian officers, who disappeared in Darfur, were abducted by an unlawful armed group. JMCS added the officers were abducted for material objectives only. According to the Jordanian news Agency PETRA, the media centre said the group resorted to illegal means such as kidnapping to get money to be able to achieve their objectives. Many incidents, involving both civilian and military UN staff, were committed by armed groups in the past. The media centre added that the Jordanian security delegation held a meeting on Thursday August 30 with the director-general of the Sudanese police forces. During the meeting, the director-general stated the kidnappers operated individually and that the hostages will be released soon. On the other hand, a government source confirmed to Radio Dabanga that the kidnappers of the two Jordanian UNAMID soldiers, handed a letter to the government authorities and to UNAMID. The kidnappers demand two billion Sudanese Pounds (SDG), 5.000 military uniforms and 500 pistols in exchange for release of the two soldiers. The source, who asked not to reveal his name, added that the kidnappers left four phone numbers, three of which were Thuraya numbers and the fourth a mobile phone number. The source emphasized that the letters, delivered to the government authorities and UNAMID, confirmed the abductees are in good health and they are in a safe place, without mentioning the location.Related content: Jordanian security delegation arrives in El-Fasher (August 29, 2012)