Bandits who abducted the Ojibara of Bayagan in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Alhaji Kamilu Salami, have demanded N150 million for his release.
The traditional ruler was kidnapped on Saturday morning while working on his farm. According to Vanguard, the abductors contacted the community early Sunday and allowed the monarch to speak as proof that he was alive and in their custody. During the brief call, he appealed to his people to engage in negotiations to secure his immediate freedom.
Oba Salami reportedly told them he was transported on a motorcycle for more than five hours through a dense forest before arriving at the kidnappers’ hideout, where the ransom demand was issued. Negotiations had yet to begin as of the time of the report; the call was primarily to communicate the amount being requested.
The monarch also revealed that several individuals from a neighbouring community were abducted by the same gang while he was being taken away. Armed men wielding AK-47 rifles had stormed his farm around 9:30 a.m. on Saturday and whisked him away. Bayagan is one of the major communities in the Ifelodun area of Kwara State.
