Kidnappers of a middle-aged man identified as Idowu in Ekiti State have freed him after reported payment of a ransom of ₦750,000 plus beer, cigarettes and noodles by his family.
Tribune reported that the victim was on Monday ambushed and kidnapped on Ikole-Ijesa Isu Road in Ikole Local Government Area at about 6.30 p.m. while travelling in his car.
It was gathered that the victim, who is a manager of one of the relaxation centres in the council area, was released in the early hours of Friday in a bush close to the area.
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Meanwhile, a source close to the victim, said the abductors had called the family and requested for ₦2 million ransom before it was reduced to ₦750,000. The source added that the gunmen also received from the family cans of beer, noodles, cigarettes, soft drinks and other items aside from the ₦750,000
“They initially demanded ₦2 million from the family but after serious pleading, they agreed on ₦750,000 which the family paid. They collected other materials like beer, cigarettes, soft drinks and noodles before our man was released today (Friday). We want the government to do something about the increasing cases of kidnapping in this area”, the source said.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, when contacted confirmed the release of the victim but denied knowledge of ransom payment by the family.
The PPRO told Journalists that the victim regained his freedom due to the efforts of a combined team of the police, vigilante and Amotekun corps personnel in the state.
