Abductors of Ondo monarch reduce ransom to N3m

Akure— THE kidnappers of the Oniyani of Iyani
in Akoko area of Ondo State, Oba Joel Sunday
Daodu, have reduced the ransom they
demanded for the monarch’s freedom from
N15 million to N3 million.
They reportedly turned down the request of
the Oba’s family to pay between N500,000 and
N1m. But the family source refused to
respond when asked where the kidnappers
wanted them to drop the ransom.
Oba Daodu was abducted on Saturday along
Ose Oba Akoko axis of Ikare-Owo Road,
almost the same spot where the Regent of
Akungba Akoko, Princess Oluwatoyin
Omosowon, was kidnapped about two years
ago.
She was rescued by a combined team of
Department of State Services, DSS, operatives
and policemen, after two weeks in captivity.
A source in Oba Daodu’s family told Vanguard
that the leader of the abductors put a call
across to them, requesting that the N3m
ransom be paid today unfailingly by 9a.m.
They, however, did not say what would befall
the First Class Oba if the family is unable to
raise the amount.
However, sources said that the assistance of
wealthy sons and daughters of the community
has been sought by its council of chiefs.
Also, an unconfirmed source said that elders
of the town have requested for the assistance
of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who in turn had
pleaded with the security agencies in the state
to ensure that the Oba is released unhurt.
The kidnappers had, after picking the Oba,
requested for N15 million ransom.
The state police’s image-maker, Femi Joseph,
said that the command was on top of the
situation. Joseph said men of the command
were monitoring the abductors, giving the
assurance that the monarch would be freed
unhurt.
He refused to comment on payment of
ransom, saying the police was not aware of
such arrangement.