A couple, Jamiu Olawale and his wife, who were kidnapped last week at their residence in ilu Abo, Akure North Local Government Area of the state, have been released.
The couple regained their freedom after spending four days in the kidnappers den.
They were released on Tuesday night after their families allegedly raised and paid a ransom of N5 million to the abductors.
Mr Olawale, a butcher, was kidnapped alongside his wife at their residence in Olaribigba Estate, Ilu Abo, during a brazen operation by the gunmen.
A relative, who spoke on condition of anonymity on Wednesday, confirmed that the N5 million Naira ransom was paid to secure the couple’s release from captivity.
“They (Jamiu and his wife were) have been freed by their captors. They release on Tuesday night, and they have since reunited with their family.
“It was very tough getting them out of captivity. Don’t forget the kidnappers had earlier demanded N40 million, but later reduced the amount to N12 million during negotiations before eventually agreeing to N5 million,” he said.
Recall the attackers attacked the couple, Jamiu Olawale and his wife, as they drove home from their shop in an ash-colored Toyota Camry.
During the violent attack, the gunmen also shot their neighbor, Patrick Ilumaro, who was sitting in front of his house at the time of the incident.
Moved by the incident, the aggrieved residents of Ilu Abo in Akure North LGA flooded the streets to block the Akure/Owo/Benin Expressway road to protest over what they described as incessant kidnappings and worsening insecurity in their agrarian community.
Meanwhile, the incident has added to the growing concerns over security in parts of the state, particularly in Akure North LGA, where cases of kidnapping have been reported in recent times.
