Unknown gunmen, suspected to be bandits, kidnapped two men in Ijan-Ekiti, Gbonyino Local Government Area, Ekiti State, on Christmas Day.
The two victims, who were riding a motorcycle, were kidnapped around 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.
One of the victims, simply identified as Ajankoro, a Cocoa merchant, and the motorcyclist who was transporting him were said to be on their way from Ilupeju-Ijan to Ijan-Ekiti when they were kidnapped and taken to an unknown destination by the bandits.
ASP When contacted, Sunday Abutu, the Ekiti Police Command Spokesperson, said he had not been informed of the development.
He promised to speak to the press once the report was confirmed.
In a related development, gunmen who kidnapped a traditional chief in Ijan-Ekiti, Gbonyin Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Thursday have demanded N20 million in ransom to release their victim.
The development comes just 72 hours after the victim and a traditional chief, Emmanuel Obafemi, the Odolofin of Ijan-Ekiti, was kidnapped.
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The kidnappers called on Friday night, according to a family source who requested anonymity, and demanded the money before releasing the victim.
“They have called to request a large sum of money before they can release him; the amount is exorbitant, and we have no idea where to get the money.”
“All we asked was for him to be released safely from their den.” “It’s still a sad Christmas for us because our family’s breadwinner has been taken to an unknown destination and his whereabouts are unknown,” the source said.
When contacted about the situation, Brig.-Gen. Joe Komolafe (rtd), the Commandant of Amotekun Corps in Ekiti State, said he was unaware of the abductors’ demand for a ransom.
He stated that his men are working around the clock to ensure the victim’s safety.
“I’m not aware of any ransom demands by the bandits; all I know is that our men have been deployed to areas where we suspect the gunmen may have hid,” he said.
Residents of the community, according to Komolafe, should volunteer timely and useful information that could lead to the bandits’ arrest.
