Gunmen Abduct Ekiti Monarch Along Four Others, Demand N20m Ransom

Unknown gunmen had on Thursday kidnapped a traditional ruler in Ijan Ekiti, Gbonyi Local Government Area, Ekiti State.

The Abductors have also asked the victim to pay the sum of N20m (twenty million naira) ransom before he could breathe the air of freedom.

Africa Investigative Magazine gathered that two more persons were kidnapped along the monarch by the bandits, and were taken away to an unknown destination.

It was further gathered that on Christmas Day, bandits also kidnapped two men on their way to Ijan-Ekiti in the same local government area.

It was however not clear if the Kidnappers demanded the N20 million to release all their victims.

A source (name withheld) who confided in our Correspond said the Abductors have established contacts with the royal family and requested the amount to set him free.

The family source who preferred anonymity said the amount is huge and that they don’t know how and where to source for money.

“The kidnappers called Friday 24 December asking for a huge amount of money before they will release him, and we don’t know how to get such amount.

“The kidnappers have directed that one person from the family should speak with them. We only pleaded with them to release the monarch unhurt,” she said.

When asked if the four other men would be released along the Monarch, the source said, “I was asked not to talk too much. I don’t know if they are together.”

The effort to reach the state police command for comment was not successful as the force spokesperson did not take his calls or reply to his message.