Kidnappers reject naira, demand ransom in dollars

One of the three people abducted by gunmen in Fulani settlements near Iwo town, Osun State, has been rescued.

The rescued victim, Adams Ojonla, regained his freedom after the abductors ran into some hunters around the Papa area of Iwo on Monday.

Gunmen numbering eight abducted Ojonla, 38, a Fulani; Hamzat Ibrahim and Deere Ibrahim, both Bororo, at Idi Araba and Laagi Fulani, along Iwo/Aawe/Oyo Road last Friday.

During the encounter at Papa, the abductors were said to have engaged the hunters in a gun battle, during which Ojonla was abandoned.

Our correspondent also learnt that the abductors told the families of the remaining victims during negotiation to pay the ransom in dollars.

A source said, “They contacted the families of those abducted late on Sunday. They initially asked for N5m for each one of them. But today (Monday), they reduced the sum to N4m for each of the two people in their custody.

“Police operatives and hunters are on the trail of the perpetrators. One person has been rescued, but two are still being held.”

The spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Yemisi Opalola, said, “One person has been rescued. But a search-and-rescue operation is still on to free others.”