By Ahmed Ajikobi
One of the nine released victims, Engineer Ayo Alabi was released on Thursday reportedly died hours after his release, National Pilot learnt.
This was made known by a family source under anonymity saying his brother went to secure his release with total amount of N4m.
The source said, “his brother went to that place as instructed by the kidnappers and deliver the money. After they have paid the money, they released both father and son. He was met lying down on his son as he was weak. He has suffered a lot from his kidnappers. He was picked and rushed to Osi Hospital where he finally gave up the ghost.”
Engineer Alabi was said to be retired officer at federal ministry of works.
He was said to attend an engagement in Ibadan on Saturday before abducted.
Meanwhile, more facts emerged on Friday on how those abducted by seven gun men were whisked to Ekiti State and regained their freedom from the den of kidnappers, National Pilot learnt.
It was gathered that the kidnappers came all the way from Ekiti State to perpetuate the criminal’s activities in Kwara State.
This was disclosed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ajayi Okasanmi, in a report to National Pilot that two victims were later regained freedom from the kidnapping den on Thursday.
Speaking further on the incident, he said the kidnappers came from the bush to stop the vehicle which with 23 passengers.
“The kidnappers selected seven out of the passengers and left others, which I think they didn’t have the capacity to kidnap all of them.
“By the time police got to that crime scene, we met 18 passengers and they showed the path they followed and police swung into action and five were rescued, two were taken away by the kidnappers in the process two were arrested.”
Okasanmi said further that the Kwara State Police Command in collaboration with Ekiti State police command pressurized the Suspects which led to the release of the victims.
He said, the victims narrated their ordeals to police, saying they trekked from Ekan-Meje of Kwara State to Ilese Meje of Ekiti State for seven hours.
“They trekked with their legs from 6pm of the incident to 1am.”
It would be recalled that the kidnappers were demanding a ransom of N30 million to release Engineer Ayo Alabi, one of the nine persons who were abducted at Eleyin Village between Oke-Onigbin and Omu-Aran in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State last Saturday.
It was gathered that the kidnappers got in touch with a friend of the victim, Mr Williams Owolabi on Sunday night and demanded a ransom of N30 million to secure his release.
Alabi was returning from a funeral at Osi in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State on Saturday evening when six armed men emerged from the bush and ordered the seven people in a Sienna Bus to come down and led them into bush.
Also, a car being driven by a pastor and his wife was intercepted by gun men at Ekan Meje/Ekiti axis in Kwara South.
However, the police, in a gun battle, have been able to rescue four out of the seven victims in the Sienna Bus while the kidnappers escaped with the remaining three passengers.
Last Saturday, nine travellers were said to be kidnapped by seven gun men at Oke-Onigbin and Eleyin along Ilorin and Omu-Aran at around 5pm, National Pilot learnt.
It was also gathered that seven were kidnapped along Oke-Onigbin while two at Omu-Aran and Ekan same time.
It was gathered that the travellers were coming from Ekiti State before they had encounter with their abductors.
Reacting to the incident, the police public relations officer, SP Ajayi Okasanmi confirmed the incident to our reporter adding that police currently working on the matter.
Okasanmi narrated the incident that, reports of two kidnap incidents were received simultaneously by the Kwara State Police Command on Saturday 07/08/2021 at about 1735hrs to the effect that, along Oke-Onigbin/Omu-Aran highway and Ekiti/Ekan-Meje axis. He further that, six armed men emerged from the bush and stopped a Siena bus in transit from Ekiti state on its way to Ilorin.
“and the seven occupants of the vehicle were marched into the bush.”
Okasanmi explained that, the Command promptly dispatched its tactical units comprising the Anti kidnapping and Anti cultists units, joined by local hunters and Vigilante members while police patrols on the routes were alerted.
“The abductors were instantly chased into the bushes, four out of the seven abducted persons were rescued, efforts are still in top gear to get the remaining two rescued.
“Deploying similar tactics by operatives, those abducted in Ekan-Meje/Ekiti axis using the same modus were equally rescued, remaining a pastor and his wife who the Command is frantically doing everything possible to rescue unhurt.”
Okasanmi said that, two suspects have been arrested and are helping the command in her investigation.
“Situation is under control, the good people of Kwara State are advised to go about their lawful businesses without any fear of molestation and attack. Patrols of all the routes in the state has been intensified.
“Any suspected activities within our immediate environments should be reported to the police without delay.
Another related kidnapping case was said to be occurred, in Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State.
One Ibrahim Ganiyu has been reportedly kidnapped by yet-to-be identified gunmen in front of his residence at Gaa-Osibi in Ilorin on Wednesday.
It was learnt that the victim, is a family of two children.
According to a family source, the kidnappers have demanded for the ransom of N30 million before the victim could be released.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ajayi Okasanmi of Kwara State Command said he was yet to be informed on the matter.
