Pregnant woman freed earlier

Residents of Awun community in the Oro-Ago district of Kwara State have reportedly paid N60 million to secure the release of three family members abducted about four months ago.

The Guardian gathered that the ransom was raised through contributions from residents of the community and indigenes living in the diaspora.
 
A reliable source in the community disclosed that, in addition to the N60 million, the kidnappers demanded and received two 50kg bags of rice, a 20-litre container of groundnut oil, a carton of spaghetti, 10kg of semovita, assorted alcoholic drinks, Maggi seasoning, and other food items.

The source added that the appeal for the ransom was circulated on the community’s WhatsApp platform, where residents and indigenes abroad receive updates and coordinate support.
 
According to the source, the victims were abducted from their home in February while their father, Olajide Buraimoh, was away.
 
The two minors, aged between four and 15, were released on Monday after the community completed payment of the ransom. The pregnant woman, who was also among the abductees, was freed last week.
 
“The victims went through severe hardship during their captivity,” the source said, adding that the kidnappers held on to the children even after releasing the pregnant woman.
 
Another resident, Fijabi Ismail, who spoke from Ilorin, described the security situation in Awun as dire.

“Our situation in Awun is pitiable. Only God can save us,” he said.
 
“We received the news yesterday evening that the children had been released. It is a great relief, but the financial burden on the community has been enormous.”