Date: 2021-06-15

Kidnappers who abducted a farmer Alhaji Jimoh Olodan at Iyemero Ekiti in Ikole local government area of Ekiti State on Friday last week have released him after collecting N2 million ransom.

The farmer was said to have been found inside a forest in Kwara around 5.30 am on Monday by a search team composed of security agencies and local hunters. Olodan was abducted on Friday, after bandits numbering 18, had stormed the community in a desperate search for the successful farmer. The bandits later called on Saturday and demanded N30 million ransom from the family.

A source confided in newsmen in Ado Ekiti, on Monday, that the farmer was released due to concerted efforts taken by local hunters, vigilante Group of Nigeria, Oodua Peoples Congress and Amotekun Corps.

He said the N2 million paid was an installment payment, saying the security men were able to tighten the noose on the bandits through combing of the sprawling forest between the Ekiti-Kwara border.

According to him, "The family had on Sunday paid a sum of N2 million out of the ransom requested for with a mission to continue with negotiation after getting the first tranche of the money.

"But the search team in Iyemero Ekiti who went on combing the entire forest to the borders of Ekiti with Kwara states went deep into the forest and pursued them to the night time.

"Upon realising that the search party was closing in on them, they abandoned the man and ran away.

"We thank God that the man was released unhurt and he was in good and sound health, " he said.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti Command, ASP Sunday Abutu, said the police led the search team that recovered the farmer from bandits.

"I think I told you on Saturday that the police immediately swung into action upon hearing that the farmer was kidnapped.

"So, we led the search team that chased the bandits into the forest to ensure that the victim was freed."

Abutu said the police were not aware of the N2 million earlier paid by the family as an installment payment to secure his release.