Ekiti abduction: Kidnappers demand cigarettes,
Indomie, reduce ransom to N2m
By Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti
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Unknown gunmen suspected to be kidnappers who abducted a peasant farmer two days ago in Ekiti State have contacted the family and demanded for several packets of cigarettes and Indomie noodles.
According to a source close to the family, the abductors have also reduced the ransom to N2 million before the 53-year-old farmer could regain his freedom.
Recall that a peasant farmer in Omuo-Ekiti, Mr. Adewumi Babatunde was on Sunday kidnapped by suspected kidnappers on his way to his farm in Omu-Ekiti, Oye local government area of Ekiti State.
Similarly, the wife of the victim, Mrs Bosede Babatunde, said the abductors of the farmer have called at the early hour of Tuesday and demanded for several packets of cigarette and Indomie nudles and later reduced the ransom to N2m.
She said her husband was riding on a motorcycle on Sunday evening along Omu/Ijelu road, going to his farm when he was waved down by some heavily armed gunmen who whisked him away to an unknown destination.
The physically challenged woman said the suspected kidnappers later called barely 72-hours after he was abducted and demanded for several packets of cigarettes and Indomie and later reduced the ransom to N2m.
She further confirmed that though the suspected kidnappers had agreed to reduce the ransom as negotiation continues.
Speaking on the issue, the traditional ruler of Omuo-Ekiti, Oba Adeyeye Ogundeyi lamented over what he called incensant kidnapping incidents of the indigenes of the area, especially farmers.
The monarch urged the Ekiti State Government to provide watertight security along Omu-Ijelu-Ayede road axis.
When contacted, the Ekiti State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Sunday Abutu said he had not been briefed on the matter. But he promised to confirm from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the area.
Meanwhile, the Commandant of the Amotekun Corps in Ekiti State, Brigadier Joe Komolafe, said his men and some local hunters are currently in the forest around the area making franctic efforts to rescue the victim.