Gunmen kidnap Fulani man in Ibarapa, demand N7m ransom

Suspected gunmen have kidnapped a Fulani man, Amodu Shehu, on Friday evening at Abule Oba in Ibarapa North Local Government Area, Oyo State.

The incident was said to have occurred at around 7.00 p.m. at Abule Oba immediately after the return of the man from his farm.

Speaking with newsmen in the early hours of Sunday, Shehu’s father, Alhaji Umoru, confirmed the sad event and said: “Those people started shooting sporadically at our village and they kidnapped my son and took him away. All that happened was shocking to us.

“We have reported the case to DPO Ayete Ibarapa North and at Ayete traditional leader’s house, Cheif Odomofin. Police officers followed us to the village on Saturday morning and we both saw bullets on the floor.”

Alhaji Umoru also said the kidnappers called him on Saturday morning and demanded an N10 million ransom before they would release his son. “When they called back in the evening, it was reduced to N7million,” he added.

Umoru, who appealed to the government to help secure the release of his son, urged them to increase and monitor the security patrol of Ibarapa area because killings and kidnappings were becoming worrisome.

The Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Osifeso, confirmed the incident.

He said: “The incident happened on Friday, but was reported to the police on Saturday.”