Abducted Kwara Monarch Released After Payment Of Ransom
The Ojibara of Bayagan Ile, Alhaji Kamilu Salami, who was abducted 25 days ago by bandits, has been released, Vanguard reports.
The monarch was released on Tuesday night, according to the spokesperson of the community, Ayinla Lawal.
Ayinla told Vanguard in an interview that the monarch was released after a huge amount of money, paid in two instalments, was paid to the bandits.
He also told Vanguard that only the community raised the huge amount demanded by the bandits before the release of the monarch.
According to him,” I’m happy to inform you that our monarch has been released, he was released on Tuesday night.
“Our elders and members of the community have pleaded that we should not mention the amount, so I won’t be able to tell you the amount, but it was huge. The local government and state government didn’t come to our rescue throughout our ordeal.
“Only members of the community contributed the amount, it was really tough for us in the community, and that was why it took longer time before our monarch was released. Above all, we thank Almighty God that he came back alive, and we also thank the media, and members of the community for their support.”
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He also said that the monarch had been brought to Ilorin on Wednesday morning for urgent medical attention.
Also, the monarch’s immediate younger brother, simply identified as Aliyu who drove the monarch to an undisclosed private hospital in Ilorin, confirmed the development.
Aliyu, who the community sent to pay the ransom on the two instalments, said he was scared at one point to visit the bandits because of the fear of being kidnapped.
“Their location is very far, one can’t believe that the place is still part of Kwara state, you can’t even describe or locate the place because they move around the terrain, they don’t stay in a particular point. They used to speak with me on Kabiesi’s phone to inform me, where I should meet them.
“I can’t even identify any of them because they’re always on hude.
“At point, I was seriously afraid and I told the community that I couldn’t go again, but they told me that I’m the only person that go, being monarch immediate younger brother, so I was encouraged. Thank Almighty God, I was not detained by the bandits and our monarch is back alive.”
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
