Abductors of a staff with the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, Mr Seun Emmanuel, kidnapped along Owo-Ifon road,Ondo state, has demanded for N10 million ransom before his release.
Recall that Seun, a driver and his boss, the Product Manager, Postpaid for BEDC Electricity Plc in Ondo Region, Andrew Okojie, were attacked by kidnappers while returning to Akure after an official trip to Ifon in Ose council area of the state.
It was gathered, that the kidnappers, who blocked the Owo/ lfon highway before Elegbeka town, reportedly shot severally at the company's Hilux vehicle.
The bullet reportedly hit the tyre and the vehicle summersaulted and landed in the bush.
The duo, were later marched into the thick forest by the kidnappers.
But the BEDC boss, Okojie, was said to have fell ill and became unconscious which made their abductors to abandon him in the forest, thinking that he was dead and went away with the driver.
Soldiers at the checkpoint close to the scene of the kidnap, reportedly rushed to the scene and were able to revive Okojie and moved him to the nearest hospital for medical treatment.
However, the abductors , according to Seun's family member, who spoke with newsmen in Akure, said that they have open a line of Communication with family and have demanded for N100m.
The family source said that after much appeal, the kidnappers reduced the ransom to ₦20 million and threatened to kill him if their demand was not met on time.
He added that "the abductors, have as at Thursday morning reduced the ransom to ₦10 million.
The family, have however, appealed to the management of the company to help secure the release of their son.
They alleged carefree attitude of management of the company to help secure the victim.
According to him the family are disturbed that the company is foot dragging to help secure the release of the victim who has served the company meritoriously for years.
However, contacted, the spokesperson of BEDC Plc in Ondo Region, Mr Michael Barnabas, who dismissed the claim, said that " the company is doing its best and offering the victims family necessary assistance to get him out of captivity.
Barnabas said that “This is a security issue that I may not want to discuss on 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.
Also contacted, the state police spokesperson, Funmi Odunlami, said that the command’s anti-kidnapping unit has taken over the case and on top of the situation.?
Odunlami, promised that police detectives would soon secure the release of the victim unhurt.
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