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From Tony Osauzo, Benin
Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have demanded N100 million ransom for the release of eight members of Imoga community in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State.
Okpahi of Imoga Kingdom, Oba Patrick Obajoye, who disclosed this yesterday, said the victims were abducted at Star Boy hotel on Imoga-Ibillo Road last Friday.
The victims, he said, had gone to Ibillo for a function and decided to lodge for the night at Star Boy hotel owned by an indigene of Imoga community.
The kidnappers, the King explained, came to the hotel in army uniforms and brought drinks, pretending to be waiting for someone, but that after a while, they accosted the owner of the hotel and seized his two phones and the phones of the others, tied their hand and led them into the bush on foot.
“As it is now, the kidnappers have reduced the ransom to N70 million. 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 great life ahead of them being abducted at a hotel where they have gone to lodge after a function,” the traditional ruler lamented.
He, however, commended the personnel of the Edo State Police Command and the state government for their efforts at rescuing the abductees, disclosing that “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.”
It was learnt that one person sustained a gunshot injury while trying to escape during the kidnap saga and he is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.
At press time, spokesman of the Edo State Police Command, ASP Eno Ikoedem, could confirm the incident as she requested to enable her so.
