Kidnappers demand N20M for Ekiti chief Obafemi, abduct two more

By Yinusa Ishola/Ado Ekiti

Gunmen who kidnapped an Ijan Ekiti chief Emmanuel Obafemi have demanded N20 million to set him free, as two more men were kidnapped in the town.

Obafemi, the Odolofin of Ijan Ekiti, was kidnapped on Thursday on his farm by about 10 gunmen.

After keeping the family in suspense for more than 24 hours, the kidnappers made contact on Friday night.

A family source, who preferred anonymity, said the kidnappers demanded the amount before they could release the victim.

“They have called to ask for this huge amount of money before they can set him free. The amount is so exorbitant, and we don’t know how to source the fund.

“We only pleaded for his safe release from their den. It’s still a sad Christmas for us, as the bread winner of our family has been taken to unknown destination and his whereabout cannot be ascertained,” the source said.

Two days after Obafemi’s abduction, gunmen abducted two men on Christmas day in the same town, located in Gbonyino Local Government Area, of Ekiti State.

The two victims who were on a motorbike were said to have been kidnapped on Saturday around 5:30 pm.

One of the victims, simply identified as Ajankoro, a Cocoa merchant, and the motorcyclist conveying him were said to be on their way from Ilupeju-Ijan to Ijan-Ekiti when they were ambushed by the bandits.

They whisked them away to an unknown destination.

ASP Sunday Abutu, the Ekiti Police command Spokesperson, when contacted, said he has not been briefed of the development.

He promised to speak to the press once he confirmed the report.

When contacted on the ransom being demanded for Obafemi, the Commandant of Amotekun Corps in Ekiti State, Brig.-Gen. Joe Komolafe (rtd), said he was not aware of it.

He said his men were working round the clock to ensure that the victim is release unhurt.

“I’m not aware of ransom demanded by the bandits. All I know is that our men have been deployed to the areas where we suspected the gunmen might have used as their hideout,” he said.

Komolafe advised residents of the community to volunteer timely and useful information that can lead to the arrest of the bandits