Unknown gunmen have abducted the wife of a traditional ruler in Ondo State, Oba Rufus Akinrimade, the Orunja of Odigbo.
The Queen (Olori Akinrimade) was kidnapped with the monarch’s driver and two of their children along Owo-Oba-Ikare Akoko road at the weekend.
A source at Odigbo Palace said that the kidnappers had contacted the traditional ruler to demand a ransom of N60million.
The monarch’s wife was heading to Akoko from Odigbo to visit another child who is an undergraduate at Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko, AAUA)l, when the gunmen seized them.
The Palace appealed to well-meaning people, security operatives to help rescue royal family members after spending four days in the kidnappers’ den.
The Minority Leader of Ondo State House of Assembly, Hon Rasheed Elegbeleye, who narrowly escaped from being kidnapped on the route, narrated how the gunmen shot at his car sporadically but God saved him from being kidnapped or killed.
The source said, “the robbery and kidnapping, which were reduced for sometimes around oba Akoko Ago Ajayi axis in ever busy Owo-Ikare-Akoko have now resurfaced.
“A prominent Oka Akoko pharmaceutical company Chief Executive, Chief Dan Musa, was recently abducted at the gate of his residence after closing hours at Iwaro-Oka.”
The source explained further that, “and after spending one week in captivity, the kidnappers have demanded N20million ransom, but he has been released yesterday after his family paid an undisclosed amount of money.”
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Femi Joseph, said the three members of a family and their driver were reported to have been kidnapped along Oba Akoko road.
He said the Command had begun investigation into the incident with an assurance to rescue them unhurt.
According to Joseph, the Command had noticed the recent developments in the area and had restrategised to wade off the criminals from the route.