Kidnappers Free 9 Victims After N40m Ransom, Abduct 10 In Kwara

Residents of Adanla community of Ifelodun local government area of Kwara State have secured the release of nine of their members abducted by bandits from the community after reportedly paying N40m ransom.

This came as armed bandits on Wednesday reportedly kidnapped 10 other persons  in Ahun and Oro-Ago communities of the same local government area.

Sources  told LEADERSHIP Weekend that  the kidnappings were carried out early Wednesday with six in Ahun and four in Oro-Ago and Oyate communities.

The Adanla abduction was carried out when gunmen  invaded the palace of the community’s monarch, Oba Olarinoye.

A community source confirmed that the victims were released on Thursday night after N40m ransom was paid to the kidnappers.

“Adanla 9 have all regained their freedom. To God be the glory!” the source said.

On the Oro-Ago episode, the wife of a victim said her husband, Clement Emmanuel, a sawmill operator and his apprentice, Solomon, were kidnapped while cutting trees at a farm in Ahun village.

Another source hinted that two others –  Adewole and Adebayo, were kidnapped while about to start burning felled trees to produce charcoal.

Mrs. Emmanuel added that the kidnappers had contacted her, demanding N10m ransom.

The state commissioner of police, Adekimi Ojo, at a media briefing yesterday told newsmen that he was yet to be officially briefed about the alleged kidnap of 10 persons in Oro- Ago and environs.

He, however, explained that his men carried out a coordinated joint intelligence-led operation in Oro-Ago following intercepted communications revealing plans by a suspected kidnapping syndicate to infiltrate the area to service and refit motorcycles intended for criminal operations.

“The operation resulted in the arrest of ten suspects, including a mechanic and a logistics operative allegedly supplying fuel and other operational support to the syndicate.

“Ten Bajaj Boxer motorcycles reasonably suspected to be operational assets for kidnapping and banditry activities were recovered as exhibits,” he said.

There was also unconfirmed report that some bandits  attacked Eruku community in Ifelodun local government area of the state on Friday.