BREAKING: Abducted Ondo Farmers Regain Freedom After Five Days in Captivity
Seven farmers who were kidnapped in the Itaogbolu area of Akure North Local Government Area, Ondo State, have regained their freedom after five days in captivity.
According to sources familiar with the situation, the victims were released on Wednesday night. “Yes, they’ve been freed and reunited with their families,” one of the sources confirmed on Friday morning.
The farmers were reportedly released in a forest near Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State, after the kidnappers received a ransom of ₦5 million and food supplies.
“Some of them are currently receiving medical attention due to the physical abuse they suffered while in captivity,” the source added.
Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the Ondo State Police Command, Ayanlade Olayinka, were unsuccessful as his phone lines remained unreachable, and a text message sent to his official contact was undelivered at the time of filing this report.
However, a security source within the command, who asked not to be named, confirmed the farmers’ release.
The victims were abducted last weekend while harvesting palm fruits on their farmland when gunmen stormed the area.
The kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of ₦100 million, which was later reduced to ₦20 million during negotiations with the families.
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During a rescue operation, operatives of the Amotekun Corps came under heavy gunfire from the abductors, resulting in injuries to three officers.
