The four travellers abducted along the Iyemero Ekiti – Irele Ekiti Road in the Ajoni Local Council Development Area of Ekiti State regained their freedom on Tuesday after spending two nights in the kidnappers’ den, Punch can report.
The four passengers, who were, on Sunday morning, returning to Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, from Kogi State where they had attended an event, were waylaid by no fewer than seven arms-bearing men, who took them to the bush.
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A source told journalists on phone from Irele Ekiti that the four victims were released in a forest in Iyemero Ekiti in the Ajoni LCDA.
Another source, who said that the gunmen called the families of the victims in Ibadan and demanded N10 million ransom, said that the victims’ release was secured after intense negotiations and pleading which culminated in reduction of the amount.
He said, “I can confirm to you that the four victims were released on Tuesday after they (gunmen) collected a sum of N4 million from the relatives of the victims.
“You know they initially demanded N10 million, but the families begged them for reduction which the gunmen agreed to before they could agree to release them in a forest around Iyemero Ekiti.”
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The Commander, Ekiti Amotekun Corps, Brigadier General Joe Komolafe (retd.), who confirmed the release of the victims, said, “It was made possible through the joint efforts of Amotekun Corps, police and the local hunters in the area.”
Komolafe, however, denied knowledge of ransom payment by families of the victims.
