Seven farmers who were kidnapped on Saturday in Itaogbolu, Akure North Local Government Area, Ondo State, have been released.
The victims were working on their crops when gunmen attacked and took them away.
A relative of one of the abductees, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday that the seven farmers were released on Wednesday night after being held captive for five days.
“I’m happy to tell you that the kidnappers released all seven farmers on Wednesday night. They are back to their families.
“I want to let you know that when the kidnappers demanded ransom, which was N100 million initially before it was reduced to N20 million, we were only able to raise N5 million.
“They were released in Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti, on Wednesday night after collecting the N5 million and food items.
“The victims are now in the hospital for medical attention,” he said.
Efforts by reporters to speak with the state Commander of Amotekun Corps, Mr. Adetunji Adeleye, were unsuccessful, as calls to his cell phone were not answered.
At the time of filing this report, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Olushola Ayanlade, stated that he is “not aware of their release.”
