Kidnappers of some traders along the Akure-Owo highway in Ondo state have reduced the ransom for their release from N11m to N5m.

Sixteen persons were abducted last Saturday but the Ondo State Police Command said it rescued 10 and arrested four members of the kidnapped gang.

It was gathered  that one of the victims managed to escape.

One of those kidnapped still in the kidnappers’ den is the Iyaloja of Isua, Akoko South East local government, Chief Hellen Edward.

The traders were returning from Akure when they were abducted.

One of her children, who gave her name as Mrs Alaba, said her mother spoke to family members and urged them to look for the ransom for her release.

Alaba said they were happy when they heard news of the rescue of some victims by the police but later discovered that her mother was still in captivity.

 Mrs Alaba said the N5m demanded by the kidnappers was too much for the poor families to pay.

Ondo Police spokesman, ASP Tee-Leo Ikoro, said the policemen and other security agencies were combing the forest to secure release of the victims.

Ikoro said the Police Commissioner, Salami Bolaji, has ordered all police Divisions in Akoko area to deploy maximum men to the forest as well as secure the highway in the area.