Date: 2020-12-03

The abductors of a Chinese, who was whisked away on Friday on the Ado Ekiti-Iyin Ekiti Road in Ekiti State, have released him after the alleged payment of N100m ransom.

A source close to the road construction company that employed the Chinese said he was released on Tuesday around 11pm after the ransom was paid to the kidnappers in a bush in Kwara State.

"The Chinese was released very late on Tuesday after the payment of N100m ransom to the kidnappers. The money was taken to a bush in Kwara State before the man was released here at a very difficult location on the Igede-Ilawe Road in Ekiti State," the source said.

The victim, who is part of the Chinese team working on the Ado-Iyin Road under construction, was kidnapped on Friday, while a policeman was killed in the process and one other person was hit by a stray bullet.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Sunday Abutu, confirmed the release of the Chinese, following a manhunt launched by law enforcement agents for the abductors.

Abutu, however, denied the payment of ransom before the victim was rescued from the kidnappers' den.

"Yes, he was released after a serious manhunt and pressure from the security operatives around Ilawe-Igede around 11.30pm on Tuesday," the police spokesperson said.

He assured residents of the state that the command would continue to do everything possible to chase away criminals from the state and ensure maximum security of lives and property.