The kidnappers of Ebikeme, son of Ijaw national leader and national Conference delegate, Chief Edwin Clark, have demanded N60 million ransom from the family to set him free. Ebikeme was abducted on Wednesday in Kiagbodo, Burutu Council of Delta.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Delta State Command, Celestina Kalu (DSP), announced this in Warri Friday in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

She said one suspect had been arrested in connection with the crime and was helping the Police with useful information.

The Command spokesperson added that the Police had intensified their search for the kidnappers.

“The kidnappers have contacted the family and they are demanding N60 million to release their victim.

“The Police are on the trail of the abductors and I can assure you that we are getting close to their base.

“We will do everything to ensure the victim is released unharmed,” she assured.

The police have fingered Clark’s Ijaw kinsmen for the kidnap of Ebikeme, who was whisked away by gunmen at the site of Edwin Clark University of Technology in Kiagbodo.

A report in Saturday Vanguard quoted Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, as saying that the kidnap was carried out by Ijaw kinsmen of Edwin Clark and that the police would burst the syndicate.

Aduba told the paper that the police have arrested three of the suspected kidnappers and were inching closer to their hideout, warning that no ransom should be paid.

He said one of them confessed that he participated in the “planning stage of the kidnap,” adding that the police were working with ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo and other Ijaw groups to track down the kidnappers.

•Photo shows Ebikeme Clark.