Kidnappers collect cigarettes, milk, N2.5m to free eight victims in Ekiti

EIGHT persons kidnapped in Itapaji-Ekiti, Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State last Tuesday have regained their freedom after payment of ransoms by their respective families. 

This came ten days after five travellers were kidnapped in Ayebode-Ekiti after gunmen engaged soldiers in a shootout before ordering the victims into the bush. 

They were released on Monday night after their families paid N10 million ransom. 

The gunmen involved in last Tuesday’s attack had besieged a house located in the town around 9.30 p.m., shot sporadically into the air and made away with eight occupants of the building. 

The gunshots that lasted for over one hour were said to have terrified the residents of the community. 

A source close to one of the victims told Saturday Tribune that the captors collected a sum of N2.5 million, a pack of cigarettes and one pack of milk before setting them free. It was gathered that the captives were freed around 10.00 p.m. on Thursday in a forest after the gunmen had collected the money and the other materials. 

“They were released on Thursday night. The kidnappers collected a sum of N2.5 million, a pack of cigarettes and a pack of milk before they were allowed to go. 

“You can see the situation of things in our state and the audacity of the bandits to be collecting food items and other materials. Only God can save us here,” the source said. 

The source regretted that the abduction disrupted a burial ceremony being planned by the owner of the building where the abduction took place. 

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Sunday Abutu, confirmed the release of the abductees but denied knowledge of payment of ransom. 

“The eight persons kidnapped at Itapaji-Ekiti in Ikole-Ekiti have all regained their freedom after concerted efforts of the police, the military, the NSCDC and the Amotekun Corps as well as the families of the victims. 

“They have all been debriefed and reunited with their families,” the PPRO said.

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