Kidnappers have demanded N100 million for the release of eight Imoga residents kidnapped on Friday night in Edo State.
The Okpahi of Imoga Kingdom, Oba Patrick Obajoye, revealed this on Monday in a phone conversation, saying the victims were kidnapped at the Star Boy Hotel on Imoga-Ibillo Road in Edo North.
He added that the victims had traveled to Ibillo for an event and decided to spend the night at the Star Boy hotel, which was also owned by an Imoga native.
The king reported that the kidnappers arrived at the hotel in army uniforms and brought refreshments, claiming to be waiting for someone.
He mentioned that after a while, the kidnappers accosted the owner of the hotel and seized his two phones.
He stated that 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 wonderful 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.”
Chronicle NG gathered that one person sustained a gunshot injury while trying to escape, and he is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.
At the time of filing this report, The PPRO of the state police command, Eno Ikoedem, asked for time to respond on the development.
The two boys kidnapped along Adughe-Imoga Road in Edo State on November 10 were liberated after their kidnappers apparently fell asleep in the forest.
The brothers, Isaac and Victor Olayere, were kidnapped on November 8, causing turmoil in the Uma/Imoga community after the kidnappers demanded N22 million in ransom.
While efforts were underway to raise the ransom, the brothers reportedly called their father from an unknown number to alert him that they had escaped prison.
