Abductors have contacted the family of a popular petrol station owner in Ekiti State, Alhaji Suleiman Akinbami, 48 hours after his abduction, reportedly demanding N60 million to secure his release.
Akinbami was kidnapped on Sunday night by four gunmen in one of his filling stations in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.
Family sources who confided in newsmen yesterday said the kidnappers called on Tuesday night and demanded the amount before they could release the victim.
The source said: “You know our man was kidnapped on Sunday night in a very dramatic way and very late on Tuesday night, we got a call from them asking us to pay N60 million if we are to see him. We pleaded with them to reduce the amount but we are yet to hear from them since then.”
When contacted, the Ekiti Amotekun Corps commander, Brig. Gen Joe Komolafe (rtd), said he was not aware of the ransom being demanded by the abductors, saying his men were trailing the gunmen. He expressed optimism that the victim would soon be rescued with the collaboration of Amotekun corps, the police and vigilante in the state.
Komolafe urged residents to volunteer timely and useful information on activities of criminals in their domains.
“Criminals are human beings and not spirits. Our desk number is 09062970421. Once we have credible information to act upon, the job is half done, we are urging our people to know that security is the responsibility of everyone and not that of the security personnel alone.”
