Kidnappers of a retired United States of America Army officer, Major Jide Ijadare, and one other person at a palm oil factory on Wednesday have demanded N20 million ransom.
The gunmen, who invaded the factory belonging to the former army officer along Ijan Ekiti–Ise Ekiti Road in Ijan Ekiti in the Gbonyin Council area of Ekiti State on Tuesday shot dead a man identified as a contractor before whisking away Ijadare and one other person at the factory.
A member of the Ijadare family said the abductors had contacted one of them and demanded N20 million ransom to facilitate his release.
He said, “They contacted one of the family members this morning (Wednesday) and made that demand.”
But Ekiti State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Sunday Abutu, said the command was not aware of any demand by the kidnappers for ransom.
He said, “We are not aware of any ransom being demanded by the abductors.
“But our men are in the bush combing everywhere to ensure his release. The Commissioner of Police, Mr Babatunde Mobayo, has deployed different units of police operatives in the factory and the surrounding forests.”
Meanwhile, Ekiti State Coordinator, National Youths Service Corps, Mrs Mary Nnenna Chikezie, dismissed reports that it was a corps member that was shot dead at the factory where two persons, including the former American military officer and one other were abducted.
Chikezie said, “I wish to inform the general public that no corps member is at present serving at the said factory; hence, no corps member was gunned down. It is, therefore, imperative to further place on record that the NYSC scheme places in its priority, the security and welfare of corps members.”