No fewer than seven farmers have been abducted by unknown gunmen in the Itaogbolu area of Akure North Local Government Area, Ondo State, with their captors demanding a ransom of N100 million for their release.
The Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun Corps, confirmed the incident on Monday.
The state commander of the corps, Adetunji Adeleye, said the victims were seized on Saturday while working on a farm.
“I can confirm the incident. Our men have been in the forests and are still there. I was there yesterday (Sunday), and we are hopeful they will soon be rescued,” Adeleye told reporters in a telephone interview.
The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Olushola Ayanlade, also confirmed the kidnapping.
He noted that a rescue operation is underway, although he could not confirm the exact number of victims due to the ongoing nature of the operation.
“Yes, there was a case of kidnapping at the weekend in Itaogbolu, and the police have launched an operation to ensure that those who are responsible are apprehended.
We are working assiduously to ensure their safe return,” Ayanlade said.
Sources close to the victims’ families revealed that the abductors made contact on Sunday evening and demanded N100 million for the release of the farmers.
“They were on the farm harvesting palm fruits when the incident occurred.
We didn’t hear from them until Sunday evening when the kidnappers contacted one of the family members,” a source who requested anonymity said.
Negotiations between the abductors and the families are said to be ongoing.