Reports say that some unknown gunmen, believed to be kidnappers, have abducted 10 persons at a farm in Ayede Ogbese in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo state.
It was said that a farmer, identified as Femi Alawiye, and nine of his workers were kidnapped at his farm on Saturday evening.
It was also gathered that the victims were abducted when the kidnappers lured them to the farm under the pretends that it was on fire.
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A source who preferred not to be named said, “On Saturday in the late evening, he (Alawiye) was called on the phone that his farm was on fire, he quickly rushed to the scene.
“On getting to the farm, the armed men suddenly appeared and whisked them away to an unknown destination.”
It was gathered that the kidnappers had since contacted their victims’ families and demanded a ransom of N100 million.
The ransom was, however, later reduced it to N10 million.
“Some hours after the adduction, the kidnappers called the family on phone to demand N100 million and failure to get the money, we may not see them again. Five of them (farm workers) were released later.
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“After the negotiation, they reduced the ransom to N10 million. But the family is yet to raise the money. That is where we are now. Currently, all of them (victims) are still in the kidnappers’ den.”
The spokesperson of the state’s Police Command, Funmi Odunlami, confirmed the incident and said efforts were ongoing to rescue the victims unhurt.
Odunlami said that five of the abductors have been released by their captors.
She added that” Our men are already in the bush in search of the victims and we are sure they would be rescued.
