The Police Command in Ekiti has confirmed the release of eight persons abducted by unknown gunmen at Itapaji in Ikole local government area of the state last Sunday.

The command’s spokesperson Sunday Abutu in a statement on Friday in Ado-Ekiti said the eight abductees had regained their freedom and reunited with their families.

He said the release of the victims was made possible through concerted efforts of police, the military, the NSCDC and the Amotekun Corps as well as that of the victim’s families.

“They have all been debriefed and reunited with their family members,” the spokesperson said.

Mr Abutu said investigations were still ongoing into the arrest of four suspects in connection with the abduction, adding that the arrested suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigation on their culpability was concluded.

Meanwhile, a source close to one of the victims, told journalists in Ado Ekiti, on Friday, that the captors collected a sum of N2.5 million, a pack of cigarettes and one pack of milk to set the abductees free.

The gunmen were said to have besieged a house located at Itapaji town around 9.30 p.m. last Sunday, shot sporadically and made away with eight occupants of the building.

The gunshots that lasted for over one hour was said to have terrified the residents of the community.

In a telephone chat with journalists on Friday, the source said the captives were freed around 10:00 p.m. on Thursday and were immediately reunited with their families.

“They have been released on Thursday evening. The kidnappers collected a sum of N2.5 million, a pack of cigarettes and one pack of milk before they were allowed to regain their freedom,” the source revealed.

(NAN)