29th October, 2021
By Yinusa Ishola/NAN
The Police Command in Ekiti State has confirmed the release of eight persons abducted by yet-to-be-identified gunmen at Itapaji in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti last Sunday.
ASP Sunday Abutu, the command’s Spokesperson confirmed the development on Friday in Ado-Ekiti.
He said the eight abductees had regained their freedom and reunited with their families.
According to him, the release of the victims was made possible through concerted efforts of police, the military, the NSCDC and the Amotekun Corps as well as that of the victims’ families.
Abutu said investigations were still ongoing into the arrest of four suspects in connection with the abduction of the eight persons.
He said the arrested suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigation on their culpability was concluded.
Meanwhile, a source close to one of the victims, told journalists in Ado Ekiti, on Friday, that the captors collected a sum of N2.5 million, a pack of cigarettes, and one pack of milk to set the abductees free.
The gunmen had besieged a house located at Itapaji town around 9.30 pm last Sunday, 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.
However, the source told NAN that the captives were freed around 10 pm on Thursday and were immediately reunited with their families.
“They have been released on Thursday evening. The kidnappers collected a sum of N2.5m, a pack of cigarettes and one pack of milk before they were allowed to regain their freedom,” the source revealed.