Abducted Ondo traditional ruler, others freed

The four persons abducted by suspected bandits in Ondo State have regained their freedom.

The victims, who include a traditional chief, Mukaila Bello of Ikare Akoko in Akoko North-East Local Government of the state, Mr Adeniran Adeyemo, Mr Bashiru Adekile and Chief Gbafinro, were kidnapped by gunmen along Owo-Ikare Expressway on Thursday.

The abductors were said to have contacted the families of the victims, demanding a sum of N50million ransom.

The Punch, however, gathered that the victims had been released but the details of the release had not been revealed.

According to a source, the victims were released on Owo-Ikare Road on Saturday evening.

The source said, “The victims who were kidnapped on Thursday evening, were released on Saturday evening on Owo-Akoko road and they have been taken to an undisclosed hospital for medical attention.”

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami, confirmed the development but said she was yet to get the details of how they were released.