A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Hon. Adeniran Adeyemo, a former House of Assembly Candidate for Akoko North-East Constituency Yèyé Gbafinro, Chief Mukaila Bello, the traditional ruler of lku quarters in lkare Akoko area of Ondo state, and community leader, Bashiru have regained freedom.
The victims were released three days after they were abducted by gunmen at about 6:30 pm around Ago Yeye, along Owo/ lkare road in Ondo.
NigeriaCrime.com learned that the victims were kidnapped after gunmen allegedly shot at their vehicle, a Toyota Corolla, marked KAK 818 AE, while in motion. The bullet hit the driver on the head and the vehicle came to a halt.
Recall that families of the victims had pleaded with the kidnappers to reduce the ransom from the initial N 50 million naira they earlier demanded before their release on Saturday.
It was gathered that the victims were released on Saturday evening by their captors along the Owo/ lkare highway.
A family member who confirmed their release was however silent on the payment of ransom to secure the release of the victims.
Speaking on the development, the traditional ruler Owa-Ale of Ikare Akoko, Oba Adeleke Adegbite-Adedoyin expressed joy over the release of his abducted High Chief and his other subjects.
Oba Adegbite Adedoyin thanked the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, his cabinet members, and all Security agencies for their efforts in securing the release of the victims.
READ ALSO: We’re Prepared For Terrorists’ Attack On Lagos – PPRO
The monarch said “governor Akeredolu had committed a lot in improving security architecture of the State especially recent donation of well-equipped patrol vehicles to security agencies.
He advised “the federal government and the people of Ondo State to continue to give full support to the state government to make the state more secured.
The spokesperson of the state police command, Funmi Odunlami, had previously assured that the victims would be rescued unhurt.”
Meanwhile, the remains of Rachael Opadele, a final year student of Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, was interred at the Baptist Conference Cemetery, Aroje, Ogbomoso.
Opadele was abducted by gunmen last week alongside Mr. Olugbenga Owolabi; owner of a hotel where she worked part-time due to the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities. They were both killed on Wednesday by their abductors despite payment of N5m ransom.
Owolabi was said to be living in Maryland, United States of America, and recently decided to invest in hospitality business in Ogbomoso. The hotel was said to have been opened in December 2021 and he was killed a few months after.