The kidnappers of German archaeologists, Peter Breunig and Johannes Buringer, have demanded N60, 000, 000 for their release.

According to Ceoafrica, the two men were abducted on Wednesday morning at Jenjela village in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

It was learnt that the attackers shot dead two locals who tried to rescue the men.

A source in Kagarko said that a senior member of the team that worked with the Germans on an excavation site was contacted by the kidnappers, who demanded N60 million.

The abductors made contact on Thursday, the source said, adding that “the kidnappers contacted the site managers through telephone on Thursday, and asked for N60 million and also warned him not to involve the police or any security operatives”.

Police were not aware of the ransom demand, a spokesperson, Aliyu Usman, said.

On Thursday, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo summoned the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, over the abductions.

It was gathered that the police chief briefed the Acting President on efforts so far made by police to rescue the victims unhurt and apprehend the kidnappers.

Usman Kagarko, a witness who joined many others in going after the assailants, said their effort ended when the kidnappers turned back and opened fire.

“We had to scamper for our safety when they opened fire, shooting sporadically at us, killing two local hunters who were in our lead as we chased them on our motorcycles and on foot”, he said adding that “if only we are armed or in company of armed security, we would have stopped them because they are on foot”.

He gave the names of the two victims as Anas Ibrahim and Adamu Abdulrahim.

He said many locals were familiar with the Germans who for many years frequently travelled from Abuja to Kaduna for their work.

“So we felt personally concerned that these very friendly foreigners are innocently abducted by criminals under our nose”, he said.