Gunmen on Saturday broke into a cleric’s house in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, abducting him and his son. The bandits are now demanding N10 million ransom to release them, family sources say.

Witnesses say the gunmen broke into the young cleric’s home after removing the burglar-proof window and abducted three victims.

One of the victims made an attempt to escape, but the assailants fired gunshots at him and inflicted machete cuts on him.

The cleric’s father said the kidnappers abandoned the third victim, having taken him for dead, but he was taken to a hospital for treatment.

He said the kidnappers already contacted the family to demand a ransom of N100 million for the two others they took away.

“The kidnappers have contacted us and they are asking for N100 million ransom. We have begged them to accept N10 million, which we do not even have.

“I am appealing to the state government and men of goodwill to assist us in getting my son and grandson out of the den of the kidnappers,’’ the father begged. 

Police spokesman in Kwara, SP Ajayi Okasanmi confirmed the abduction on Sunday and said two suspects had already been arrested.

“Police are already investigating the matter. Efforts are also at an advanced stage to rescue the victims.

“Meanwhile, two suspects have already been arrested,’’ he said.

(NAN)