Less than 24 hours after the kidnap of a retired US army officer, Jide Ijadare and another victim at his (Ijadare) palm oil production factory at Ijan Ekiti yesterday, their abductors have called in to name their price before releasing him: N20m.
A family member of the retired soldier who preferred to remain anonymous told journalists on Wednesday.
He said, “They contacted one of the family members this morning (Wednesday) and made that demand.”
However, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti State Command, Mr Sunday Abutu, played down the issue about ransom, saying the command was not aware of any ransom being demanded by the abductors.
“We are not aware of any ransom being demanded by the abductors.
“But our men are in the bush combing everywhere to ensure his release. The Commissioner of Police, Mr Babatunde Mobayo, has deployed different units of police operatives in the factory and the surrounding forests.”
In a related development, the Ekiti State Coordinator of the National Youths Service Corps, Mrs Mary Nnenna Chikezie, has refuted reports that the unidentified man that was shot dead by the abductors was a corps member.
Chikezie said, “I wish to inform the general public that no corps member is at present serving at the said factory; hence, no corps member was gunned down. It is, therefore, imperative to further place on record that the NYSC scheme places in its priority, the security and welfare of corps members”.
