Kidnapped four travellers in Ekiti regain freedom after 4m ransom

Four Ibadan-bound travellers kidnapped in Ekiti state last Sunday have regained freedom after reported payment of N4 million ransom.

The travellers, who were kidnapped along Irele and Oke-Ako Ekiti in Ajoni Local Council Development Area, were returning to Ibadan after attending a ceremony in Kogi state.

A community source, who spoke with our reporter on condition of anonymity, said that the four victims were released in a forest in Iyemero-Ekiti in the Ajoni LCDA.

The source said that the gunmen contacted the victims’ families on Sunday night and demanded N10 million before it was reduced to N4m after negotiation.

He said: ” I can confirm to you that the four victims were released on Tuesday morning 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 before they could agree to release them around a forest in Iyemero-Ekiti for that amount.”

When contacted, the Corps commander of Amotekun, Brigadier-General Joe Komolafe (retd) confirmed the release of the victims.

Komolafe, who denied knowledge of ransom payment, said the release was made possible through the joint efforts of Amotekun corps, police and the local hunters in the area.