The kidnappers who abducted a 45 year old Canadian, Mrs Julie Ann Mulligan, in Kaduna last Thursday have demanded for a ransom of N20 million before she is released but the police are still holding dialoguing with them, Kaduna State Police Commissioner, Alhaji Tambari Yabo Mohammed said yesterday.

Addressing a press conference at the police headquarters, the commissioner said the kidnappers initially asked for N100 million. He added that they were using the GSM telephone which they had earlier collected from Moses Kadeer, the person who was with Mrs Mulligan when she was kidnapped. According to him, Mrs Mulligan is a Rotarian who came to Kaduna on April 15 with four other Canadians on a group study exchange programme under the auspices of Rotary International Club. "The team had been to Kano and Katsina states before arriving Kaduna and were expected to proceed to Jos thereafter," the commissioner said.

Alhaji Tambari blamed the local chapter of Rotary club for not intimating the police about the coming of the Canadians. He said that whenever foreign nationals are coming, the police are usually informed and they make necessary security arrangements for them.

He recalled that when Reihand Bonke, a renowned Christian preacher came to Kaduna the police provided his security throughout his stay in the state. The police chief berated the Rotarians for hosting the visiting Canadians in Kenfeli Hotel where there is no adequate security. "On a general note, we have a duty to provide security to all citizens, by providing patrols to all places", he said, adding that crimes are inevitable as they happen in every society.

The police, he further said, have been working closely with the State Security Service who have rendered undercover information, since the kidnapping occurred. The command has also mounted surveillance at hotels, relaxation spots and uncompleted buildings, he also said, adding that the police has also mounted road blocks for all vehicles moving in and out of Kaduna. Alhaji Tambari called on the general public to be on the look out and render useful information to state police command on these GSM lines: 08037241645; 08037018210, 08036527850, 08023844401, 08035892182, 08023099401. He also dispelled the rumour that an Egyptian was also kidnapped yesterday, describing it as a wicked and malicious rumour.