Osun: Kidnappers demand N200m ransom for abducted ex-Customs officer

Abductors of a retired customs officer, Emmanuel Owolabi, in his hometown of Ora-Igbomina, Osun State, on Thursday demanded a ransom of N200 million from his family before he could regain his freedom from their custody.

Family sources, who preferred anonymity, made this known in a telephone conversation with our reporter.

The informed sources, however, appealed to close associates, friends of the abductee and other good Samaritans to, in the name of God, rise to their aid.

When asked whether the abductors would reduce the amount, he responded by saying that they would still try to negotiate with them.

It will be recalled that palpable fear gripped residents of Ora-Igbomina, in Ifedayo Local Government Area of Osun State, on Monday night when armed bandits invaded the ancient town, killed the leader of non-indigenes in the town and kidnapped a former customs officer, Mr Emmanuel Owolabi, in his abode.

The perpetrators of the act, who were said to have rented the air with repeated gunshots, reportedly bombarded the settlement, which shares boundaries with both Kwara and Ekiti states, in large numbers and took control of the place.

In the operation, which lasted a few hours according to eyewitness accounts, residents deserted their abodes in their hundreds and ran for safety for fear of being kidnapped.

The incident, which happened at Akisa and some other parts of the town, has now left residents discussing it in twos and threes.

Meanwhile, throughout the operation, local security guards and community vigilantes were said to have put in all their efforts to repel the attackers, but this yielded no positive effect, as their combat weapons were inferior to what the bandits were carrying.

Commenting on the matter, the Inurin of Ora-Igbomina land, High Chief Isaac Fadipe, confirmed the incident and hinted that members of Amotekun operatives, local hunters and vigilantes are in the bush to fish out the bandits and secure the release of the abducted ex-customs officer from their custody.

” We are now living in perpetual fear, and we want the government to act fast on the people’s security,” he stressed.

“We heard that a man called Custom was kidnapped around 7 pm by some gunmen who had ambushed him in his house.”

“They took him to the forest, heading toward Kwara State, but while going, they saw a man doing charcoal work with a headlamp and shot at him”.

“It was the 10-year-old son of the man shot that came to town to tell us they killed his father on the farm.”

“We have mobilised security men who have been on their trail since yesterday.”

“The Ora-Igbomina king has also called other traditional leaders in the area to help block any escape route the assailants may want to escape through and capture the assistants.”

“The police had been informed about the incident, and they came yesterday, and they are also here this morning”.

‘We, however, appeal to the state government to provide us with more security because we are a town sharing a border with Ekiti and Kwara States.

Meanwhile, the Osun State Police Command said, “More deployment had been made to comb the bush in the area.”

” The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, who made this known to newsmen, added that, ” immediately the incident happened yesterday, the police operatives and other volunteers chased after the gunmen.’

Ojelabi said the police had been informed about the incident and that the DPO of Ora-Igbomina Police Station is at the house of the kidnapped ex-customs officer, gathering more details.

“The case is a kidnapping case, but the report that one person was killed has not been confirmed or substantiated.

“Immediately we heard about the incident, our tactical teams were deployed, and they have been on the trail of the suspects.”

“We have a tactical team on the ground there now, and with support from the forest guards, vigilantes, and local people security personnel, they are in the bushes after the assailants to rescue the victim.

“The CP has also deployed more tactical teams to the area, and an investigation is ongoing as the police are on the trail of the assailants.”