Gunmen abduct Ondo BEDC official, demand N10m ransom

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Police arrest suspected cultists for plotting attack on OPC members
Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers, yesterday, abducted an employee of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), Mr. Seun Emmanuel, along Owo-Ifon highway in Ose Local Council of Ondo State.

Emmanuel, a driver with the electricity company and his boss, Andrew Okojie, Product Manager, Postpaid for BEDC, Ondo Region, were attacked while returning to Akure, the state capital on Monday, after an official trip to Ifon in Ose council.

The official vehicle they were travelling in, a BEDC branded Hilux van was shot at, which caused the driver, Emmanuel, to lose control after his tyre was hit by a bullet and somersaulted into the bush.

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After his boss, Okojie, became unconscious and was believed to have passed away by the gunmen, the driver was taken into the bush by the kidnappers.

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The Guardian learnt that soldiers manning the checkpoint within Elegbeka community hurriedly rushed to the scene when they heard about the incident and were able to rescue Okojie and take him to their base.

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After series of pleas, a family source, which craved anonymity said the kidnappers, who initially demanded  N100 million for Emmanuel’s release, reduced the ransom to N10 million, with a threat to kill him if they refused to pay.

The family also said the management of BEDC was exhibiting a carefree attitude towards the release of their son.

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According to them, the company has been foot-dragging since the incident.
However, spokesperson for BEDC, Ondo Region, Mr. Michael Barnabas, dismissed the claim, stressing that the company is doing its best and offering Emmanuel’s family necessary assistance to get him out of captivity.

“This is a security issue that I may not want to discuss publicly due to its sensitivity. We are working closely with the security agencies in the state towards his safe release and one thing I can assure you is that we are not far from his family. We are offering them all the necessary assistance and support they need in this trying time,” he said.

Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ondo State Command, Funmilayo Odunlami, said the anti-kidnapping unit of the Command has taken over the case.

READ ALSO: Gunmen abduct Catholic priest in Kaduna

MEANWHILE, Operatives of  the State Police Command have apprehended three middle-aged men suspected to be members of a cult group.

The suspects: Adeyeye Deji, Adesuyi Damilola, and Abiodun Lekan, were nabbed while allegedly planning to attack members of Odua People’s Congress (OPC), in Akure, the state capital.

The Guardian gathered that the suspects were members of Eiye Confraternity, a dreaded cult group.

While parading the suspect at police headquarters in Akure, the Police Public Relations Officer, Odunlami, disclosed that the suspects were arrested in Abusoro, Ijoka axis of Akure, while on a vengeance expedition, with two locally made pistols recovered from their hideout.
 

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