James Sowole in Akure
Kidnappers of the traditional ruler of Iyansan Town, Irele Local Government Area of Ondo state, Oba Abiodun Oyewumi, late Wednesday asked the family of their victim to pay them N40 million to secure his release.
However, the family had offered the kidnappers a sum of N500,000.
The monarch was kidnapped by some gunmen numbering 10 on Monday night at his palace in Iyasan and whisked him away to their den.
A family source told disclosed on Thursday that the abductors had contacted the son of the monarch, Folarin, late Wednesday and opened negotiations with him on the ransom.
“The abductors called Folarin and first asked the family to send a recharge card of N40,000 to enable them have enough airtime to negotiate with the family properly.
“The family sent a recharge card to them but it was not up to the amount they asked for, so shortly after the recharge card had been sent to them’ they then called back and demanded for N40 million ransom “, the source said
The source added that the family could not afford the amount so they appealed to the kidnappers to collect N500,000 from them, saying they could not afford the N40 million requested.
“The kidnappers rejected the N500,000 offered by the family and that was the end of their negotiation as at yesterday (Wednesday). ” the source added.
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