Kidnappers of Mr. Seun Emmanuel, a driver with the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) have demanded a ransom of N10m to release him.
Emmanuel was kidnapped along Owo-Ifon road while conveying his boss, Andrew Okojie, Product Manager, Postpaid for BEDC Electricity Plc in Ondo Region.
They were reportedly attacked by kidnappers while returning to Akure on Monday evening after an official trip to Ifon in Ose Local Government Area.
The kidnappers were said to have shot at their vehicle which made Emmanuel to lose control and the vehicle summersaulted into the bush.
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He was whisked into the bush by the kidnappers but his boss was left for death.
Witnesses said soldiers at the checkpoint before Elegbeka community rescued Okojie and took him to their base from where he was later reunited with BEDC and his family members.
The kidnappers were said to have contacted the Emmanuel’s family and demanded a ransom of ₦100m before reducing it to N10m.
Ondo Police spokesman, SP Funmilayo Odunlami, said the command’s anti-kidnapping unit has taken over the case.
A close relative of the victim, who pleaded anonymity, urged management of BEDC to secure the release of their son.
Spokesperson for BEDC in Ondo Region, Mr Michael Barnabas, said the company was offering support to the family to get Seun out of captivity.
According to him: “It’s true that one of our staff was kidnapped while on official duty but it’s not true that the company abandoned him. As a matter of fact, we have been in close relation with the family and offering them all the needed assistance aside working closely with security agencies in the state towards his safe release.
“This is a security issue that I may not want to discuss on publicly due to its sensitivity. We are not far from his family. We are offering them all the necessary assistance and support they need in this trying time.”