Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted no fewer than 10 persons in Ondo State.
The victims were kidnapped during the weekend on a farm at Ayede-Ogbese, Akure North Local Government Area of the State.
Those kidnapped included a farmer, identified as Femi Alawiye and nine of his workers.
It was gathered that Alawiye rushed down to his farm after he was called on the phone that his farm was on fire.
According to a source, he was attacked and kidnapped alongside his workers upon his arrival to the farm.
“On Saturday in the late evening, Alawiye was called on the phone that his farm was on fire, he quickly rushed to the farm. On getting to the farm, the gunmen suddenly appeared and whisked them away,” the source said.
Meanwhile, a family member of the kidnapped farmer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, disclosed that the kidnappers had established contact with the family, demanding a ransom of N100 million.
The family source added that after a series of negotiations, the ransom was reduced to N10 million.
“The family was called on the phone a few hours after the abduction to demand for N100 million.
“They threatened that failure to produce the money, we may not see them again. Five of the workers were released later.
“After negotiating with the kidnappers, they reduced the ransom to N10 million. But the family is yet to raise the money.
“That is where we are now. As I am speaking with you, all of them are still in the den of the kidnappers,” he disclosed.
Confirming the incident, the police spokesperson in the State, Funmilayo Odunlami said efforts were ongoing to rescue the victims unhurt.
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