SUSPECTED kidnappers of the mother of the national chairman of the Labour Party have demanded a sum of N100 million ransoms for the release of the 71-year-old woman, Mrs Elizabeth Omotosho.
According to a source in the family of the kidnap- victim, the men of the underworld had reached out to the family, asking that the money should be paid before the old woman could be released from the captivity.
Mrs Omotosho was reportedly kidnapped on Sunday night by four unidentified gunmen at her residence, 23, Lobalade Street, Tanke, Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
“When mama was kidnapped on Sunday night, they went away without leaving any sign behind for us to reach out to them. But as I talk to you now, they have reached out to us and demanded that a sum of N100 million be paid before they can release mama to us.
“Though we are distraught with this ugly development at this moment in our life, we are optimistic and prayerful that the kidnappers would consider her age and release her in good time,” the source said.
Also speaking on the development, the public relations officer of the State Police Command, Ajayi Okasanmi, said that “we are still on it.”
The police spokesman, who said that he was not aware of any ransom being demanded by the abductors, however, assured that the old woman would be released soon.
He disclosed that men of the police, Department of State Services and other sister security agencies were working behind the scene to unravel the identity of the hoodlums.
“We are on their trail. You know this is a sensitive matter and it is better left in a covert way that we are working. We are on it, our sister agencies are also collaborating with us on this matter. Most importantly, we are working with the team set up by the Inspector General of Police to ensure the safe return of the old woman.
It is recalled that four men armed with dangerous weapons had reportedly stormed the house and abducted the old woman on Sunday night.
Dr Mike Omotosho, who also confirmed the abduction of his mother by the gunmen, said police authorities had been informed over the incident and appealed to members of the public with useful information about the kidnappers to contact the law enforcement agencies.
Similarly, Omotosho’s sister, Titilayo Omotosho, who also gave the account of the abduction, said “The gateman who was later released after the abduction alleged that four armed men entered the house and told my mother to wear clothes and follow them. They threatened to shoot her if she makes any sound. The gateman said they asked me but I was attending a meeting at that time. I got home; I searched everywhere and couldn’t find my mother.”
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