He was, however, freed after his family allegedly parted with N2 million ransom.
Olodan, a farmer, was allegedly found yesterday in a forest around 5.30 a.m., by a search party assembled by security agencies and local hunters.
He was abducted on Friday at Elegure farmstead near Iyemero, after the gunmen numbering 18 stormed the community in a desperate search for the successful farmer.
The abductors later called on Saturday and demanded an N30 million ransom from the family.
A source confided in newsmen in Ado Ekiti on Monday that the farmer was released due to concerted efforts by local hunters, Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Oodua Peoples’ Congress and Amotekun Corps.
He said the N2 million paid was an instalment payment, saying the security men were able to tighten the noose on the gunmen by combing the sprawling forest between Ekiti-Kogi-Kwara borders.
“The family had, on Sunday, paid the sum of N2 million out of the ransom requested with a mission to continue with negotiation after getting the first tranche of the money.
“But the search team in Iyemero Ekiti, who went on combing the entire forest to the borders of Ekiti with Kogi and Kwara states, went deep into the forest and pursued them into the night.
“Upon realising that the search party was closing in on them, they abandoned the man and ran away.
“We thank God that the man was released unhurt and he was in good and sound health,” he said.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti Command, ASP Sunday Abutu, said the police led the search team that rescued the farmer.
Similarly, Dr. Dan Ella, a lecturer in the Department of Theatre Arts, University of Jos, who was kidnapped on Wednesday last week, was released on Sunday morning after the family had paid an unspecified amount of ransom.
Family members of the abductee were directed to go to Toro town along Bauchi – Jos Road to pick their victims.
The released victim was kidnapped on Wednesday at 12:15 am.
His release was confirmed by a police officer, who pleaded anonymity because he was not the police spokesman.
It was also gathered that the kidnappers attacked Ella’s residence located at Haske quarters in Lamingo community, Jos North Local Government Area of the state.
