Sons and daughters of Awun village in Oro-Ago district of Kwara State have reportedly paid a total sum of N60 million as ransom to secure the release of three kidnapped members of the community.
The three abductees, according to THISDAY checks, were kidnapped four months ago when suspected bandits invaded the community.
The development led residents of the community, both at home and abroad, to levy themselves to raise money for the release of the abductees.
Sources close to the community told journalists in Ilorin yesterday: “We have tried all our possible best to enable the appropriate authorities assist us on the release of the victims but to no avail.
“This has led the sons and daughters of Awun village both at home and abroad to levy ourselves towards the payment of ransom for the release of our people.
“And at the end, we have raised a total sum of N60 million and met other demands of the suspected bandits so as to secure the freedom of our people.”
He added: “Aside from the N60 million, the kidnappers also collected two bags of 50kg rice, one 20-litre container of groundnut oil, a carton of spaghetti, 10kg of semovita, assorted beer and Maggi seasoning, among other things.”
It was further learnt that the payment of the ransom and other demands of the suspected kidnappers was announced on the community’s WhatsApp platform, through which indigenes in the diaspora receive updates.
According to the source, “the three victims aged between four and 15 were released on Monday after the ransom was raised.
“The victims went through untold hardship, and the pregnant woman among the victims was released last week while the minors were held till Monday.”
However, a community leader, Mr. Joseph Ayantunji, in a chat with THISDAY on Tuesday, lauded the efforts of Awun village towards securing the release of the victims from captivity.
He described the development as serious, adding that: “We cannot sleep with our two eyes closed again, and the economic prosperity of the town has collapsed since then till date.”
Ayantunji urged the government to rise to its responsibilities to bring a new lease of life to rural communities.
Hammed Shittu
