Suspected kidnappers abduct US returnee in Kwara

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have reportedly abducted a United States of America (USA) returnee, who is also an indigene of Ilorin emirate.

The victim, Muritala Adebayo, was said to have been kidnapped on his farm located at Pampo, Asa Local Government Area of the state, last week Thursday.

An eyewitness account told journalists that, “we were all at the farm when suddenly we started hearing sporadic gunshots and we all scampered for safety.

“Some few minutes later, we learnt the owner of a neighbouring farm had been kidnapped.”

Adebayo’s abductors, it was gathered had demanded a ransom of N100 million to secure his release.

It was also gathered that sources in the family of the kidnapped had confirmed that the abductors had contacted them, saying that demand of N100 million was made for his release.

“They have called us more than four times, asking us to ensure we get the money or he will not be returned alive. We are doing everything humanly possible to secure his release,” the source said.

The Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the state police command, Okasanmi Ajayi, who confirmed the incident, said that the command got a distress call from a member of the victim’s family late on Thursday night.

“Immediately, the state Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Bagega, deployed a team of investigators to the scene of the incident on Friday. The investigators combed everywhere in and around the farm.

“The command is doing everything possible to ensure the safe rescue of the victim and the arrest of the suspected abductors,” he said.

The PPRO, however, said that the command “is not a party to ransom payment to suspected kidnappers. Rather we enjoin families of kidnapped victims to collaborate with the police for the safe release/rescue of the victim.”

(Nigerian Tribune)

•Armed men