Seven fishermen abducted from the shores of Lake Chad in Borno State are yet to regain their freedom, as their abductors have reportedly demanded a N30 million ransom for their release.

The fishermen were kidnapped on Thursday during an attack on Dadin Kwatan fish market at about 10:14 a.m. in Doron Baga community, Kukawa Local Council of the state.

Military and other security sources said the insurgents had earlier gathered at a nearby village before advancing towards the market in several speed boats armed with AK-47 rifles and other weapons.

An eyewitness, Malam Audu Isa, in a telephone interview yesterday in Maiduguri, said, “The terrorists burst in from the Lake Chad Islands after spending the night at the fish market,” stressing that the market is barely a kilometre from Doron Baga and the Monguno military base before the insurgents launched the attack shortly after traders arrived in the morning.

The insurgents were also said to have contacted members of the market community, demanding N30 million for the release of the abducted fishermen.

“We do not have the money to pay for the release of our loved ones,” one of the fish market leaders said.

As at the time of filing this report, security authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the abduction.