•Gunmen
Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have demanded N100 million for the release of eight Imoga indigenes abducted on Friday night.
The Okpahi of Imoga Kingdom, Oba Patrick Obajoye, who disclosed this yesterday in a telephone conversation, said the victims were kidnapped at Star Boy Hotel on Imoga-Ibillo Road in Edo North, reports The PUNCH.
He stated that the victims had gone to Ibillo for a function and decided to lodge for the night at the Star Boy hotel, which also belonged to an indigene of Imoga.
The king stated that the kidnappers came to the hotel in army uniforms and brought drinks, pretending to be waiting for someone.
He noted that after a while, the kidnappers accosted the owner of the hotel and seized his two phones. He said they also seized the phones of the others, tied their hands and led them into the bush on foot.
He said, “As it is now, the kidnappers have reduced the ransom to N70m. When we begged for further reduction, they said one of the vehicles belonging to the hotelier should be sold to pay the ransom.
“Eight of them are currently in the kidnappers’ den, including one woman. The kidnapping looked like an inside job if one considers the way the gunmen spoke to those negotiating the ransom.
“It is a very sad day for us in our community, and we hope that this will end well for our indigenes. However, raising this money is a big task.
“Imagine young men and a woman with a great life ahead of them being abducted at a hotel where they have gone to lodge after a function.
The monarch commended the personnel of the Edo State Police Command and the state government for their efforts at rescuing the abductees.
He added, “The Edo State Police Command, in conjunction with the state government, came to trace the kidnappers with modern gadgets, but it was unsuccessful.
“We hope that the rescue move will continue so that the victims can reunite with their families.”
It was also gathered that one person sustained a gunshot injury while trying to escape, and he is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.
The PPRO of the state police command, Eno Ikoedem, asked for time to respond as of the time of filing the report.
The two brothers kidnapped along Adughe–Imoga Road in Edo State on November 10 regained their freedom after their abductors reportedly fell asleep in the forest.
The brothers, identified as Isaac and Victor Olayere, were abducted on November 8, throwing the Uma/Imoga community into confusion after the kidnappers demanded N22m as ransom.
While efforts were ongoing to raise the ransom, the brothers reportedly called their father with an unknown number, informing him that they had escaped from captivity.
The Okpahi of Imoga Kingdom, Oba Patrick Obajoye, confirmed the development to our correspondent at that time in a telephone interview.
