A government official who preferred to b anonymous has revealed to the press that another N20 million has been paid as ransom to kidnappers of the abducted six students of Lagos Model College Igbonla-Epe.

 The cash which was allegedly delivered to the captors last week brought the total cash collected by the kidnappers to N30 million.

The delivered cash heightened expectations that the students would soon be released as families of the victims were awake all through the weekend waiting to receive instructions on how the students will be picked.

But the kidnappers dashed their hope as they demanded that the parents pay additional N1.5 million to cover their transport fare.

It was reliably gathered that the kidnappers demanded for the N1.5 million so as to be able to fuel their means of transportation and buy recharge cards. The parents are however yet to pay the additional money.

One of the parents who was contacted denied having any knowledge of the new development, he however expressed optimism that the abducted students will be freed soon.

“Our hope was rekindled when we heard that the students were likely to be released last weekend. We were told that some people would go and bring them, while all parents would be contacted to assemble at a particular place to receive the students. But we waited endlessly without any word. As I speak, we are still hopeful, considering the assurances of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode during the commissioning of a project at Epe last week.” He said.