Police in Ondo State Tuesday shot dead a notorious kidnapper popularly called ‘Federal’ while rescuing Princess Oluwatoyin Omosowon, the regent of Akunngba-Akoko in Akoko South-West Local Government Area.
Also, the security operatives arrested two persons, David Ikpen, 52, and Lucky Smart, 30, during the shootout between the hoodlums and the combined team of military and Department of State Services (DSS).
Omosowon and four others – a youth corps member, Azuibike Ijeoma, an Indian, T. J. Alex, a police officer, Obafe Sunday and Aliu Abdujeli – were rescued by security agents at Igbonla village in Owo Local Government Area of the state.
The regent and three of her aides were abducted penultimate Tuesday evening on Ikare-Owo Expressway in Akoko South- West Local Government Area on her way to Akure to attend 69th inaugural lecture of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), delivered by the Vice-Chancellor of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Prof Igbekele Ajibefun.
Narrating her ordeal, Omosowon said she was on her way to Akure when the hoodlums who had been laying ambush on the Oba Akoko-Owo Road stopped her entourage and took them hostage.
“They took us into the bush and we had to trek for hours before they took us to another location on Akure-Owo Road in the middle of the night. They hit my head with an object and blood started gushing out.
“They asked us to lie on the floor. We were taken from there to another forest where they released my secretary and one security official.”
“The kidnappers instructed them to go home and inform people about my abduction and brought another car which took us away from the place. We were tortured and had to walk into a swampy place and river before getting to where we were kept.
“They demanded N200 million ransom. They told me that I have been delaying the process of selecting another king for the town and I should contact Governor Segun Mimiko to pay the ransom.
“Many other victims were brought to the forest while some were either released or taken away to another place. I fasted for days praying to God to touch their heart.
“Thank God the security operatives rescued us before they could carry out their threats.”
The corps member, who also narrated her ordeal, said she boarded the vehicle from Abuja to Lagos, after Orientation Camp. Unknown to her, it was a kidnappers’ vehicle.
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