The kidnappers who abducted two farmers, Samuel Oladotun and Fashola Tobiloba, in Osun state and the demand of N10 million have reportedly collected N6 million but refused to release the captives.
NigeriaCrime.com gathered that instead, the abductors held the three-man team that delivered the ransom at a Kwara-Kogi boundary in Epe and demand a fresh sum of N 24 million before they will release the victims.
It will be recalled that Samuel and Fashola were abducted while returning from the farm at Oke-Osun area in Ileogbo, headquarters of Ayedire local government, Osun state on Wednesday.
A family source however said that the family negotiated with the kidnappers to N 6 million and requested that the ransom be brought to Epe a border town with Kwara and Kogi.
“However, they later used the negotiator’s phone number to reach the family and informed us that the three-man team have been held hostage, demanding for additional N 24 million for the release of the five victims”, said the source.
The spokesperson of Royal Ambassador, the organisation the victims belonged in the Baptist Church, Olanihun Zechariah while confirming the incident, said, “It saddens our heart to inform you that those that took the ransom money to the kidnappers that kidnapped our brothers Ambassador Samuel Oladotun and Fashola Tobiloba have also been detained after paying the ransom without the release of the two brothers. We now have five people in the den of kidnappers. The kidnappers are now requesting for additional 24 million naira for their release.
“We are deeply sorrowful for this turn of events. I want to use this opportunity to call on every member to please raise their voice to God now in intercession”.
Meanwhile, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke in a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed said the police have activated local and inter-state operations to locate and rescue the victims.
Governor Adeleke further reassured the families of the victims that no stone will be left unturned to rescue their loved ones in captivity.
In a related development, the Catholic Priest, Rev Father Micheal Olofinlade, abducted by yet to identified gunmen on Saturday, has regained freedom.
Olofinlade was released by his captors late Tuesday evening, though details of his release were still sketchy as of the time of filing this report.
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ekiti, Most Rev Felix Ajakaiye, made the disclosure Tuesday night.
Fr Olafinlade, the Parish Priest of St George Catholic Church, Omu Ekiti, in Oye Local Government Area in Ekiti State, was kidnapped while returning to his base in Omu Ekiti, after a pastoral assignment in the state capital Ado
Bishop Ajakaiye had solicited prayers for the quick and safe release of Father Olofinlade.