Kidnappers collect N10m for cousins, claim relationship with police

Two cousins, Olugbade Ibikunle and Rafiu Isiaka, who spent 10 days in kidnappers’ den in Akure, Ondo State, have said their relatives paid N10m before their release.

Isiaka, who narrated their ordeals, said the abductors boasted that they were working with the police.

He explained that the kidnappers were nine Fulani herdsmen, adding that he and his cousin were abducted between two police checkpoints.

The duo were travelling to Abuja from Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, on October 30, 2017 when they were waylaid on Akunu Road, Ondo State, near a police post.

Operatives attached to the post were said to have engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel; but they escaped with their targets.

The kidnappers subsequently contacted the families of the victims and demanded N10m ransom for their release.

The families had begged the kidnappers to take N3m, but they rejected it, insisting on the N10m.

The case was reported at the Ikare Police Division.

Isiaka, who spoke with our correspondent on the telephone on Tuesday, said none of the gunmen had been arrested by the police since their release penultimate Monday.

He said, “We were abducted between two checkpoints. The distance between the checkpoints some metres from each other. The kidnappers were bragging while our relatives were negotiating with them, saying picking us between two police checkpoints was not for free.

“When we begged that there was no way we could get more than N5m, they tortured us. We were tied and beaten up. They said they would take us to a worse place if we didn’t pay the N10m.

“So, we had no option but to tell our people to borrow money to secure our release. They said they would settle some policemen from the ransom. They gave us concoctions and didn’t allow us to know where we were until we got to the point of our release. We were released at Ogori Magogo in Kogi State, where the ransom was paid.

“Since we returned, we have gone to the Ondo State Police Command to meet with the Commissioner of Police and he had directed the Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit to track the telephone number used by the kidnappers to contact our relatives. We did all that they asked us to do; but till now, we have not heard anything from them. Whenever we called the OC, he would promise to get back to us.”

Isiaka said seven of the abductors were fully armed.

“Five were with pump-action rifles; one with a double-barrelled gun, and the seventh person, whom they called Senior, carried a pistol,” he added.

The uncle of the victims, Kayode Afolayan, said he reported the claim of the kidnappers to the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Gbenga Adeyanju, but the CP dismissed it, saying it was false.

He said, “The kidnappers collected N10m from us after 10 days. They told us that some policemen would collect from the ransom and that there was no way they could all share N3m. They said they get leads on their targets from policemen. We reported to the CP, but he said no policeman would share money with kidnappers.

“Two relatives took the money to their hideout in the night and the kidnappers warned that they should not involve security personnel. They confirmed the money was complete before the victims were released. They divided themselves into two; a group collected the ransom, while the other one released them. The police said we should give them some time and promised to track down the suspects.”

Folusho Adeyomoye, the younger sister of Ibikunle, the artisan, said he sustained injuries and was admitted to a hospital.

She added that he had travelled abroad.

The Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, Femi Joseph, said he was not aware of any policeman colluding with kidnappers, adding that the command was making efforts to arrest the suspects.

He said, “The allegation is very unfortunate despite our efforts to ensure that the suspects are arrested. They (the relatives) should come forward with their proof that policemen are working with the kidnappers. The suspects should have told them the policemen they were working with. People just tend to believe anything they hear.

“The Nigerian Police is the only organisation where we don’t spare any betrayal. I want anybody to prove me wrong. People are just trying to give a dog a bad name in order to hang it. So, I am not aware of any policeman getting involved in any case as serious as kidnapping.

“A case of kidnapping is very sensitive and we are always very careful not to rush. We thank God that the victims have regained their freedom. It would have been very terrible if we had rushed in and subsequently, they were killed or shot by frustrated abductors. The case is still on and we are investigating. We have instances where we spend months tracking kidnappers.”