How neighbour aided kidnap of Kwara couple, sibling

More facts have emerged on how a neighbour orchestrated the kidnap of Alhaji Moshood Owoyale, his wife and brother, Alhaja Abdulkareem from their home in Agbamu, IrepodunLocal Government Area of Kwara State.

The police had confirmed their abduction in a statement by its spokeswoman, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi (SP) last week Sunday.

The victims were forcefully whisked away when the kidnappers stormed their residence at OwoyaleAgbamu in AjaseWard II.

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But investigation by Daily Trust revealed that the three victims were freed over the weekend after the payment of a N5 million ransom.

It was learnt that they initially demanded for N50 million ransom before the amount was negotiated to N5 million.

In an audio clip obtained by Daily Trust, the abductors rejected N10 million that was initially offered by the family for their release.

The N5 million was reportedly handed over to their abductors at Olla, Isin inLGA.

However, while the police, local vigilantes and hunters are said to be on the trail of the kidnappers, the development took a new twist at the weekend.

A resident of the community where they were kidnapped, was said to have raised the alarm that his conscience was pricking him.

A family member of the victims (name withheld) told our correspondent that after they had spent about five days in the kidnappers’ den, the whistleblower revealed that a guard living opposite their residence popularly known as ‘Santana’, planned the abduction.

“The whistleblower said Santana first approached him to do the job but after he declined, he took it to Santana who arranged everything,” he added.

The family member said Santana was a close neighbour and even provided water for ablution when they wanted to pray the next day after the incident inside a mosque in the facility he was guarding.

“He showed great concern over their kidnapping but it was surprising to hear him admit to the crime after his arrest,” he added.

When our correspondent visited the police command, ‘Santana’ was sighted with the whistleblower at the anti-kidnapping section being grilled by the police following their arrest in Agbamu.

Police spokeswoman, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, who confirmed their arrest, promised that the command would get to the root of the matter and bring all those who allegedly masterminded the abduction to book.