Date: 2021-11-21

Kwara State Police Command has confirmed the reported kidnap of one Olujala Adegboja in Olla town in the Isin local government area of the state on Saturday.

It was gathered that the kidnap victim, popularly called Onijay is a brother to the traditional ruler of the town as well as a brother to one of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains, Hon. Onijala, who was a former aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Speaking on the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the state Police command, Okasanmi Ajayi, said that the anti-kidnapping and other tactical teams in conjunction with vigilante and hunters are already in search and rescue of the kidnap victim as directed by the Commissioner of Police.

It was gathered that there was pandemonium in Olla town, Isin local government area as yet-to-be-identified gunmen stormed the town at late hours on Saturday, shooting sporadically in the air, ambushed one "Oni-jay" in a white Hilux van and later whisked him away to an unknown destination.

Oni-jay is said to be managing a farm around the area and was ambushed on his way home from the farm around by 7:00 pm on Saturday.

Eyewitness account also said that the victim, who resisted an attempt to kidnap him, was later overpowered by the suspected gunmen, who reportedly cut him with a machete while shooting sporadically to scare residents away before he was later whisked away.

"The bloodstain of the victim could be seen on the Hilux van indicating he must have been seriously injured before he was taken away."

"The community has since then been thrown in a panic until this morning when kidnappers called Onijala's family to demand N200 million as ransom before the release of the victim from their captivity."

Another source said the ransom had been reduced to N10million by the abductors during the ongoing negotiation for the release of the victim.

"The operation lasted almost an hour. However, a combined team of security agencies including local hunters are currently launching manhunts and combing forests with the hope of rescuing the victim and bringing the perpetrators to immediate justice.