By Ahmed Ajikobi
Unidentified gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have demanded for N16m ransom for the release of four Turkish nationals abducted.
The disclosure was made yesterday by the Shaaba of Lafiagi, Abdulrahaman Manzuman to this medium.
Manzuman, in an exclusive telephone chat with our reporter described the incident as unfortunate adding that the community is unhappy with the development.
“We are very disturbed about the incident. I heard that the kidnappers have contacted the company demanding for N4million per head. I can’t say much on it because I am not in town presently.”
Manzuman however appreciated the police for promising to do everything in order to arrest the culprits.
The suspected kidnappers had on Friday abducted the four Turkish expatriates in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State at a relaxation centre.
National Pilot learnt that the victims were kidnapped by six gunmen on that fateful day.
The victims abducted are; Yasin Colak (33), Senerapal (40), Ergun Yurdakul (35) and Seyit Keklik (25).
The Turkish were said to be working for Istanbul Concrete Limited located at Gbale village, Edu LGA.
According to a source who pleaded anonymity, the Turkish expatriates were relaxing at the joint after closing from work for the day before the unfortunate incident.
“On that fateful day, we heard the information in the night as other people at the relaxation had scampered to safety. We were told that the gunmen who looked like Fulani herdsmen abducted the Turkish nationals to unknown destination.
“The victims were drinking at the local joint when the gunmen invaded the area and kidnapped them,” the source added.
Meanwhile, men of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) are said to be combing bushes and forests in the community in an effort to rescue the victims.
Speaking on the development, the Vice President of VGN, Saka Ibrahim said his men in the Edu LG are supporting the police in order to rescue the victims unhurt.
Confirming the incident, the state police spokesman, DSP Ajayi Okasanmi said that report got to the Command on Saturday and the men and officers of the Command have been deployed to rescue the situation.
He added that the Commissioner of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has dispatched teams under ‘Operation Puff Adder’ to the area to commence the immediate rescue of the victims alive.
“The CP has assured Kwara residents that the suspects would be arrested and brought to the book,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has called for calm following the unfortunate abduction of some Turkish nationals in Edu LGA of the state.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, yesterday, said, “The Governor is working closely with the security agencies to ensure prompt rescue of the expatriates. The Governor urges the people to go about their normal and lawful businesses and not to entertain any fear, as doing so may embolden the criminals behind the development.”
