Abductors demand N20m ransom on 3-year-old girl

By Michael Ofulue

The principal of Auja Community Grammar School, Auga, Elder Adeyemi Joshua Kolade and five other staff of the School were on Thursday abducted by men suspected to be kidnappers.
They were kidnapped on their way to Ikare-Akoko after the close of work.
Sources close to The Hope Metro disclosed that the victims were kidnapped in the principal’s car. But a pregnant woman who was in the car was released because of her condition.
The Commander of Amotekun Corps in the state, Chief Adetunji Adeleye confirmed the story. He said that his men had been drafted to the bush after the hoodlum, saying that they will soon be apprehended.
Meanwhile, abductors of the three-year-old girl identified as Mary Fasina, who was kidnapped on Wednesday evening at her parents’ residence in Akure, have demanded N20 million ransom to free her from their captivity.
The Hope Metro reliably gathered that the unknown gunmen communicated with the girl’s family yesterday.
It will be recalled that the victim, Mary was abducted at about 8 pm on Wednesday at her parents’ residence located along Ondo road in Akure, Ondo State capital.
She was reportedly abducted when she and another member of the family were about opening the gate of the house for their mother on her arrival from a church programme..
A family source told our correspondent that the kidnappers have affirmed that the girl was in their custody.
” The kidnappers have contacted the family and they have requested for N20m ransom before the girl would be released by them.
” The parents of the girl have pleaded with them to reduce the ransom, but they remained adamant.
” They have not called again after the initial communication with the victim’s parents. They warned the parents not to involve the security operatives, especially the Amotekun if they still want to see their child alive.”
Reports had it that the abductors who were masked robbed the mother after which they took the little girl away.
Narrating her ordeal earlier, the victim’s mother, Taiwo Fasina, said the ugly incident occurred around 8pm on Wednesday night at Army barracks second gate, along Ondo road, Akure.
According to her, the suspected kidnappers numbering two, took the girl away at gunpoint when she was about to drive into the premises of her residence.
“ As I was getting home from church, my children went to open the gate for me. When we got there, we did not see anybody until we entered the compound. I even thought they were the vigilantes.
” They asked me to give them the car key,and Il gave them. On getting down, they threatened to shoot me if I didn’t cooperate.
” They asked for my money. So, they picked my bag themselves and took all the money.
“They ordered me to lie on the ground so I could not look up. But faintly I saw one of them carrying something. I j initially thought they were carrying a bag. I didn’t know whether it was my baby girl they carried.
” They used masks to cover their noses and mouths and asked me not to shout. They didn’t go with the car, they only went away with the car key. ” They came in an unregistered Mercedes Benz.”
” l was calling Mary, where are you? It was then I noticed that I didn’t see the girl,. So, I started shouting and people came around.
“A neighbour coming with an okada rider tried to chase them, shouting ‘thief thief.” But they had gone far.”
It was learnt that the case was reported at Fanibi police station while efforts were being made to contact the Amotekun Corps.
The police command spokesperson, Funmi Odunlami could not be reached for comment on the new development, but a top police officer said efforts were on to rescue the victim.
But when our correspondent earlier contacted CSP Femi Joseph, Divisional Police Officer, Fanibi station, he said the case of child stealing was reported and investigation is already ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident.