The kidnappers of travelers at Omi-Alafa village, along Owo-Ifon road, in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State have demanded N90 million ransom from the families of the victims.
The victims were abducted on Saturday while they were returning from a burial ceremony in Edo State.
BASIC FACTS
- The kidnappers in Ondo state have contacted families of their recent victims.
- The victims were kidnapped while returning from burial, and kidnappers are demanding for N90m ransom before their release.
- Ondo State government have officially confirmed this development.
WHAT WE KNOW
The criminals who kidnapped travelers in Ondo state last Saturday, have demanded for a ransom of N90m to set them free.
The Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs Bamidele Ademola- Olateju disclosed this in Akure on Monday while briefing newsmen on the incident.
The Commissioner informed that 18 out of the passengers in the bus were abducted, while nine have regained their freedom.
According to Mrs Bamidele Olateju, the kidnappers found it easy because the scene borders Edo state, so they strike and run back to Edo because they know Ondo is no longer a haven for criminals.
NOTABLE QUOTES
The Commissioner at the media briefing said, “They went for a burial at Ewatota, in Esan local government area of Edo state, one of the buses, a 32 seater coastal bus hired from Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo was attacked by suspected kidnappers. The vehicle was ransacked, the people were searched and dispossessed of their valuables.
“They selected 18 out of the passengers and matched them into the bush. Some of those that were left behind immediately put a call to Amotekun corps which they swung into action.
“Among those who were taken into the bush, Amotekun found seven of them. Out of the remaining eleven, two of them escaped and only nine people are still in captivity.
“Right now as I speak, Amotekun is working with the police, the DSS, and the Nigerian Army to ensure their release,”
“Today, the kidnappers have made contact with families of victims and they are demanding ransom of between N3–N10 million. Investigation of this abduction continues but it’s important to note and commend the gallant men of Amotekun in getting to the scene and rescuing victims.”
COMMENTARY
Recall that apart from the weekend kidnapping in Ondo state, the state has in recent times witnessed a spate of criminal activities.
Last June, gunmen attacked worshippers of St. Francis Catholic Church Owo in Ondo state. That attack was followed by an attack and kidnap of expatriate workers at a construction company.
Nevertheless, the Amotekun Corp has done well in providing security in Ondo State. It’s equally heartwarming to hear that federal security agencies are collaborating with them to fight insecurity.
However, the success of the regional security outfit in the southwestern region gives credence to the call for state police, who are better positioned to fight crimes locally.
The police and the army are undoubtedly overwhelmed, and also have been accused of having hands in the insecurity bedeviling the country.
This is especially as it relates to the trouble of banditry and kidnapping for ransom, which is almost forever on the rising across the country.
Kidnapping provides brisk revenue to the perpetrators, and these criminals will definitely have hard time succeeding if the security operatives have no hand in their operations.
A BBC sponsored documentary, which interviewed some bandits in Zamfara and the northern region confirmed this widely believed notion that highly placed people are involved in these criminal activities.
