Kidnappers demanding N40m to release wife of murdered Kwara monarch, says committee chair

Abductors of the wife of Peter Aremu, the late Onikoro of Koro-Ekiti in Ekiti LGA of Kwara state, are now reportedly demanding N40 million as ransom for his wife and other abductees. 

On Thursday, gunmen invaded the residence of the traditional ruler, killed him, and abducted his wife and two others.

Speaking with reporters on Sunday, Kehinde Bayode, chairman of the transition implementation committee (TIC), said the abductors had earlier asked for N100 million, but later reduced their request to N40 million.

“The kidnappers had got in touch with the family. They were demanding N100 million ransom, which has now been reduced to N40 million,” NAN quoted Kehinde as saying.

“But we are still negotiating with them and right now, I am on my way to Koro to get the latest information on the negotiation.

“We will continue to brief you (journalists) as the situation unfolds and we will keep you posted.”

Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, spokesperson of the Kwara police command, said the commissioner of police in the state has deployed a tactical team to the community to fish out the perpetrators of the incident.

“The commissioner of police has deployed a tactical team to Koro-Ekiti to fish out the perpetrators,” Ejire-Adeyemi said.

“Policemen are working with other security agencies to free those that were abducted during the kidnapping incident.

“No arrest has been made yet. We are going to keep you abreast of developments as they unfold.”