Abductors of Ondo monarch demand N40m ransom

Abductors of foremost traditional ruler in Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Abiodun Oyewumi, the Laragunsin of Iyasan, have demanded a ransom of N40 million for his release.

The royal father was abducted on Monday by unknown gunmen who invaded his palace and whisked him away to an unknown destination.

A reliable source informed that the family was, however, pleading to pay N500, 000 for the release of the Oba but that it was rejected by the kidnappers.

The kidnappers of the monarch reportedly opened the line of communication through his son, Folarin Oyewunmi, who was in the palace when he was abducted on Monday at about 10pm.

It was gathered that the kidnappers phoned Folarin and requested that a recharge card of N40, 000 value be sent to them as a prelude to open discussion on the release of the Oba.

They reportedly insisted that until the recharge card was sent, they would continue to keep the Oba incommunicado ‎from the family.

An unspecified amount of recharge card was sent by the family, after which the negotiation on the ransom commenced on Thursday.

The Oba’s son was reportedly allowed to speak with him to show that he was with them and was hale and hearty.

It would be recalled that 10 unknown gunmen invaded the king’s palace on Monday and whisked him away to an unknown destination.

The abductors on arrival in the town headed straight to the palace of the Oba and whisked him away without any resistance from palace guards or family members.

The kidnappers who came to the town through the Owena River were alleged to have been armed to the teeth, hence they operated for over 30minutes unhindered.

Spokesman of the Police Command in the state, Femi Joseph, said the drag net of the police would soon catch the kidnappers.

Joseph added that there was no hiding place for the evil doers as the Oba would soon be rescued.

He, however, claimed ignorant that the abductors of the monarch had spoken to the family.