The ransom demanded by the kidnappers of the Ekiti State Commissioner for Agriculture, Folorunso Olabode, has been reduced from N30 million (read here) to N15 million.
The abductors initially demanded N30 million for his release after he was kidnapped on Sunday, April 26, along the Isan-Iludun road at Ilejemeje local government area, while traveling from Ado-Ekiti to his hometown Iye-Ekiti.
During the kidnapping, a councillor in his car, Olatunji Omotosho, was shot dead, and the commissioner was abducted alongside another occupant in the car, a woman.
A family source in Ado-Ekiti stated that the ransom was reduced during negotiations with the kidnappers.
“The process of negotiation began on Monday with the initial request being a sum of N30 million. However, as of today, Wednesday, the captors had reduced it to N15 million. We are hopeful that the Commissioner will be released soon because we are all concerned about his safety,” the family source said.
Regarding the security measures being taken to secure Olabode’s release, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti Command, Mr. Sunday Abutu, mentioned that the police and other security networks are actively pursuing the bandits.
Abutu added that the police and other security have begun rigorous stop and search procedures along the route to verify the identities of commuters.
He also stated that the police were not informed of any negotiation on the demand made by the abductors, assuring that all necessary security measures would be implemented to secure Olabode’s release.
“We are not aware that the bandits were requesting any ransom, we have not been informed. The police have intensified security checks in that area and we are making progress in closing in on them,” he said.