Gunmen Abduct 10 Persons in Ondo, Demand N100m Ransom

Friday Omosola

A farmer identified as Femi Alawiye and nine of his workers have been kidnapped by unknown gunmen at a farm in Ayede Ogbese, Akure North Council Area of Ondo state.

The Trumpet gathered that Femi and nine of his workers were abducted after he received a call that his farm was on fire.

A sympathiser, who preferred to be anonymous, said that “Alawiye was called on the phone that his farm was on fire and he quickly rushed down to see the level of the damage.

“As he got to the farm, the kidnappers appeared from their hiding places and whisked them away.

“lt happened last Saturday he was called on the phone that his farm was on fire, he quickly called his workers and they rushed to the farm only to be ambushed by the bandits who had positioned themselves at the farm.

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“They waited for them to get to the farm before they pounced on them. They were whisked away to an unknown destination.”

peaking with newsmen, a family member of the kidnapped farmer said that the bandits had contacted the family and had demanded a sum of N100 million ransom.

However, the family source said the ransom was reduced to N10 million after a series of negotiations, adding that the family is yet to raise the money.

The spokesperson of the state police command, Funmi Odunlami, confirmed the incident and said efforts were ongoing to rescue the victims unhurt.

She said, “Our men are already in the bush in search of the victims and we are sure they will be rescued.

It was gathered that five of the abductors have been released by their captors.