Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a lecturer with Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko, (AAUA) Mr. Mayowa Adinlewa along Akure/Ikere Ekiti road at the weekend.
Adinlewa, who works with the state university was said to be travelling to Ikere-Ekiti in Ekiti State when he was reportedly kidnapped along with the bad spot on the Akure-Ikere Ekiti road.
It was gathered that the victim’s vehicle which was spotted on the road unlocked attracted some residents of the community who raised the alarm over the development.
However, the elder brother of the victim, Toyin Adinlewa confirmed the abduction of his brother, disclosing that his abductors have started negotiating with the family, demanding N10m as ransom to secure the freedom of the young lecturer.
It was also gathered that the kidnappers had also contacted the wife of the victim on Sunday, demanding ransom.
A source close to the wife explained that Adinlewa was heard telling his wife that they have been trekking for hours in the bush with nothing to eat or drink.
He said the lecturer disclosed that his leg is aching from the long walk and that his phone would soon be taken away from him by his abductors
The lecturer added that his legs are already burnt due to the heat from the long walk and that his phone would soon be taken from him and might not be able to communicate with his wife for some time.
The source said the call was interrupted by one of the suspected abductors before the conversation came to an end.
The Head of Information and Protocol Unit of the University, Mr Victor Akinpelumi could not confirm the incident but said the details of the incident are still sketchy and promised to get back to our correspondent.
But confirming the abduction, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Funmilayo Odunlami, said the incident happened at the boundary of Ondo and Ekiti states.
She said some people who noticed the vehicles parked on the road informed the police who raced to the place and later discovered that the owner of the vehicle had been kidnapped.
Odunlami said the family of the victims also reported the incident to the police, saying detectives from the command had swung into action after visiting the scene of the incident
She, however, assured that the victim would be rescued unhurt while the criminals will not be spared.
“Initially, we thought it was a case of an abandoned vehicle. It was later that the family contacted the police that their son had been kidnapped. The incident happened between the boundary of Ondo and Ekiti States.
“Our anti-kidnapping unit has swung into action towards rescuing the victim. They are already combing the bush and the axis where it happened.
“We all are on the trail of the kidnappers and arrest would be made as soon as possible. We have told our men to be on the alert, especially those coming to the forest across the state” she said
Speaking on the demand for ransom, she said, “I am not aware of contact has been made with the family. I don’t know anything about the demand for ransom”.
