Four passengers kidnapped along Irele – Oke Ako Road in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Wednesday have regained their freedom after paying N1m as ransom to their abductors.
The gun-wielding kidnappers had waylaid their victims and ferried them to their dens before making a demand of N20 million ransom from the victims’ families.
A source close to the victims at Oke Ako, said: “The four persons were set free this morning after the payment of N1 million which was contributed by their different families and as well drivers around here who launched an appeal for funds because drivers were involved.
“Shortly after they were kidnapped on Wednesday evening, the gunmen reached out to the family of one of them demanding N20 million. But nothing could be done about it until Thursday when the families of the four victims came together and started the negotiation,” the source said.
It was further gathered from residents of the town that, “Initially, the gunmen demanded N20million, later reduced it to N15million, N8million until they finally settled for N1million. One million naira is a brisk business for the gunmen under 36 hours anyway.
“The gunmen said the people should meet them at a location in the bush at Kuru, Kwara State on Thursday night with the money, but the people felt it was not wise, so they delayed it till Friday morning.
”The ransom was paid in Kuru on Friday morning. The people went there in two vehicles to drop the ransom. It was some hours after that they released the four victims at the location. We share the same border in the bush with Kuru, Eruku,” he said.
Contacted, Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti State Command, Sunday Abutu, confirmed their release.