[b]SUSPECTED kidnappers, who abducted the wife of a patient medicine dealer in Ovwian, Udu Local Government Area of Delta State at the weekend, have asked the victim's husband for N6,000 recharge cards to enable them discuss the terms of releasing her.

Mrs. Joyce Okpare, who was seized at Orhowhorun junction, near the entrance to her home, was, however, yet to be released, days after her husband sent the recharge cards as demanded. The woman was allegedly approached by her abductors, who commandeered her into a waiting vehicle and zoomed off.

However, the Urhobo Monitoring and Development Group (UMDU), yesterday gave the kidnapper a 72-hour ultimatum to release the woman.

UMDU, in a statement by its Chairman and Secretary, Andrew Gbise and James Ovedje respectively, warned "those responsible for the shameful and cowardly act to release Mrs. Joyce Okpare within 72 hours, or face the wrath of the association."

It also condemned the ugly incident in its totality, The group, while warning the kidnappers to stay clear of Udu area, disclosed that Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, the Police Commissioner, the State Security Service (SSS) and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Ovwian Police Station, have been alerted on the incident.[/b]