Alhaji Ibrahim Bodunde Oyinlade, 67, the Chief Imam of the Uso village in the Akure North council area of Ondo state, has been kidnapped. His captors have demanded a N10 million ransom for his release.
Recall that no fewer than five gunmen kidnapped the Islamic cleric from his farm.
According to reports, they followed him to his farm in the Uso community’s Asolo Farm Camp and kidnapped him about 3 p.m. on Saturday.
News reporters in Akure were informed by a relative of the victim that the kidnappers had finally requested a ransom.
The relation who spoke with newsmen in confidence said ” After he was kidnapped last Saturday, they called us and informed us that the Chief lmam is with them and that we should be prepared and look for good money to secure his release.
” One of the kidnappers, called today and demanded N10 m ransom before they will release the chief imam.
” They insisted we should pay on time otherwise we will find ourselves to blame.
” We begged them that the victim is a religious leader and that the family can’t afford the ransom demanded, but they insisted they would not reduce the ransom.
” The family members are now confused. Where can we raise N10 m with the present situation in Nigeria?
Meanwhile, reacting to the abduction of the cleric, the state police command spokesperson, Funmi Odunlami, said the police detectives and the vigilante men were already combing the forest in search of the victim.
Odunlami said ” At about 6 pm on Saturday, a report was made at Uso Divisional headquarters, that the Chief Imam of Uso went to his farm in the morning and did not return.
” He was later traced to the farm by his people, they saw his phone and his vehicle intact but couldn’t find him.
” The DPO and his men with local vigilantes are currently in the bush to trace the whereabouts of the cleric”
Odunlami claimed ignorance of the kidnapper’s request for ransom from the family of the victim.
She however assured that the victim would soon be rescued unhurt by the security personnel.