Two farmers kidnapped at Ileogbo Town in Osun on January 11, and two others kidnapped while paying ransome to the kidnappers, have all been set free by their abductors.

In a letter to Governor Ademola Adeleke and made available to journalists, the Osun Baptist Conference said the victims (who are members of the church) were released on Tuesday and Friday respectively. 

In the letter signed by the President and the Chairman of Osun Baptist Conference, Rev. Paul Kolawole and Rev. Sunday Ogundijo, the church appreciated the governor for the role he played in the released of the victims.

They, however, stated that a total of N10 million was paid to the suspected kidnappers to secure the release of their members.

“On behalf of the Osun Baptist Conference, the Nigerian Baptist Convention, and the entire Iwo Baptist Community, we write to sincerely appreciate your Excellency on the vital roles you played towards the rescue of four of our people who were kidnapped between Jan. 11 and 16 2023.

“We will like to inform your Excellency that two people were released on Tuesday while the last two were just released today, Friday Jan. 20, even though with cumulative payment of ransoms of N10 million.” the letter read in parts. 

Two farmers, Samuel Oladotun and Fashola Tobiloba, were abducted on January 11 by some gunmen at Ileogbo Town in Osun State.

The suspected kidnappers later contacted their victims’ relatives and families asking then to pay N6 million for their release, after negotiations.

The kidnappers afterwards detained two other persons that went to drop the ransom demanded, and thereafter asked for additional N24 million to release all the victims.

The Osun Police spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, confirmed the release of the kidnapped victims to journalists but did not mention if any ransom was paid. 

(NAN)