The abductors of Dr Idongesit Udom, who is the Proprietor of Sure Foundation Polytechnic, have reduced the ransom demanded from his family from N500m to N70m.

According to Punch Metro, a family member, who did not want his name in print, said the kidnappers asked Udom to sell the polytechnic to raise the N70m ransom for his freedom.

Udom was abducted last Sunday by some gunmen in the Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

The victim was sick and on medication at the time of his abduction.

The family source told Punch Metro on Thursday that the kidnappers called the family on Tuesday, saying they were sent to kill the poly founder but later decided to keep him for ransom.

“The matter is precarious. The kidnappers called us on Tuesday and said we have to sell the polytechnic to raise the ransom for my uncle.

“They told us that they were paid N200m to kill him, but because God was on his side, they decided to keep him for ransom.

“Ukanafun is not safe for anybody. Youths go about carrying different kinds of weapons. People are not safe in that community,” he added.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Chukwu Okechukwu, said the police were not aware of any ransom, adding that the command was doing its best to secure the release of the proprietor.

Okechukwu said the police had, however, made some arrests in the case of two kidnapped expatriates, who worked with a construction firm, VKS Nigeria Construction Limited.

He noted that the whereabouts of the Turkish nationals were still unknown, adding that the police were on the trail of the culprits.