Kidnappers holding eight residents of Imoga in Edo State have demanded a ransom of N100 million for their release following their abduction on the night of Friday, January 9.
The Okpahi of Imoga Kingdom, Oba Patrick Obajoye, disclosed the development on Monday, January 10, explaining that the victims were taken from Star Boy Hotel along the Imoga–Ibillo Road in Edo North.
According to the monarch, the abducted persons had travelled to Ibillo to attend an event and chose to spend the night at the Star Boy Hotel, which is owned by an indigene of Imoga.
He said the kidnappers arrived at the hotel wearing army uniforms and ordered drinks, pretending they were waiting for someone. It was learned that after some time, they confronted the hotel owner, confiscated his two mobile phones, collected the phones of others present, tied their hands and forced them to trek into the bush.
He said, “As it is now, the kidnappers have reduced the ransom to N70m. 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.
Oba Obajoye praised the Edo State Police Command and the state government for the steps taken so far to secure the release of the victims.
He added, “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.”
During the attack, one of the victims sustained a gunshot injury while attempting to escape and is currently undergoing treatment at an undisclosed hospital.
In a related development, two brothers abducted along the Adughe–Imoga Road in Edo State on November 10 were earlier reported to have regained their freedom after their captors allegedly fell asleep in the forest.
The brothers, Isaac and Victor Olayere, were kidnapped on November 8, an incident that caused panic in the Uma/Imoga community after the abductors demanded a ransom of N22 million.
While negotiations were ongoing, the brothers, it was learned, contacted their father from an unfamiliar number to inform him that they had escaped from captivity. The development was also confirmed by the Okpahi of Imoga Kingdom, Oba Patrick Obajoye.
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