Gunmen Kidnap Three In Ogun, Demand N10M, Codeine As Ransom

Gunmen Kidnap Three In Ogun, Demand N10M, Codeine As Ransom

Suspected Fulani herdsmen who abducted three residents in Ogun State are demanding the sum of N10 million, marijuana, packs of codeine, food and water as ransom from the families of the victims.

It was gathered that the gunmen hid in a bush in Obada-Oko area of Abeokuta, the state capital on Saturday, November 6 and unleashed terror on residents.

They reportedly shot one person, Razaq Lasisi and whisked three residents after the police from the Obada-Oko division engaged them in a gun duel.

According to Lasisi, who identified himself as a former secondary school principal, he was on his way home from work around 9pm, when the gunmen attempted to kidnap him but he managed to escape.

Narrating his ordeal, the survivor said he narrowly escaped from the kidnappers at an area called Ogba Kehinde, a stone’s throw to his house.

“Immediately I tried to escape, one of them shot me twice, and as I was about to move faster, one grabbed me and I gave the person a heavy blow which made him to leave me. Blood spread all over my body and I have to run down to my neighbour’s house. So, I told my neighbour that he should take me to Aro Psychiatric hospital because I felt that was the only place I could be treated.”

According to him, Ogba Kehinde is a six-acre land with some buildings on that land but since some years back, the land has been abandoned by the owner.

Lasisi said the palace was being used for a poultry farm long time before Obada-Oko developed to the present situation. He claimed that the buildings on the acres of land now harbour criminals.

Speaking on the fate of the kidnapped victims, Lasisi said the kidnappers have called the community and demanded a sum of N10 million and some hard drugs as ransom.

"The kidnappers have called today and asked us to pay N10 million before they can release their victims. They said we should come along with packs of codeine, marijuana, water and food as ransom. But, after serious appeals, they have reduced the ransom to N1.5 million with codeine, water and food.” he said.

Spokesperson of the State Police Command, Abimbola Oyeyemi, who confirmed the incident, said one suspect had been arrested in connection with the kidnapping.

“Yes, it is true. The suspect arrested is a strong member of the kidnappers. We have commenced the investigation and we would soon arrest them." Oyeyemi stated.