Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a lecturer with Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko, (AAUA) Mr. Mayowa Adinlewa along Akure/Ikere Ekiti road at the weekend.
The lecturer was said to be travelling to Ikere-Ekiti in Ekiti State when he was reportedly kidnapped along with the bad spot on the Akure-Ikere Ekiti road.
It was gathered that his vehicle which was spotted on the road unlocked attracted some residents of the community who raised the alarm over the development.
The elder brother of the victim, Toyin Adinlewa confirmed the abduction of his brother, saying that his abductors have started negotiating with the family, demanding N10m as ransom to secure the freedom of the young lecturer.
It was also gathered that the kidnappers had also contacted the wife of the victim on Sunday, demanding ransom.
The Head of Information and Protocol Unit of the University, Mr Victor Akinpelumi could not confirm the incident but said the details of the incident are still sketchy and promised to get back to our correspondent.
But confirming the abduction, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Funmilayo Odunlami, said the incident happened at the boundary of Ondo and Ekiti states.
She said some people who noticed the vehicles parked on the road informed the police who raced to the place and later discovered that the owner of the vehicle had been kidnapped.
Odunlami said the family of the victims also reported the incident to the police, saying detectives from the command had swung into action after visiting the scene of the incident
She, however, assured that the victim would be rescued unhurt while the criminals will not be spared.
“Initially, we thought it was a case of an abandoned vehicle. It was later that the family contacted the police that their son had been kidnapped. The incident happened between the boundary of Ondo and Ekiti States.
“Our anti-kidnapping unit has swung into action towards rescuing the victim. They are already combing the bush and the axis where it happened.
“We all are on the trail of the kidnappers and arrest would be made as soon as possible. We have told our men to be on the alert, especially those coming to the forest across the state” she said
Speaking on the demand for ransom, she said, “I’m not aware of contact has been made with the family. I don’t know anything about the demand for ransom.”