Oyebanji orders security to find kidnapped couple
By Ologeh Joseph
Armed men suspected to be Fulani herdsmen have demanded N20m before a couple kidnapped at Itapaji-Ekiti would be released.
The State Governor Abiodun Oyebanji in a swift reaction on Wednesday ordered security operatives to locate and rescue the kidnapped couple.
As at Friday, Irohinoodua observed that armed soldiers and policemen have stormed Itapaji while a couple of them have been dispatched into the forest.
The suspected Fulani herdsmen also killed a youth, Mr Wasiu Omotoyinbo. He was serially shot. Efforts by local Vigilante to revive him failed.
A community leader, Sola Abegunde said the kidnappers have made contact with the traditional ruler of the community, Oba Abdulazeez Adebanjo through whom they demanded for N20m as ransom.
On Wednesday, the armed Fulani men invaded Itapaji, located in Ajoni Local Government Development Area, (LCDA). They kidnapped Pastor and Mrs Emmanuel of the Blessed Hope Evangelical Mission.
The couple was leading a Christian crusade when the armed men struck 9pm on Wednesday.
The victim is the immediate junior brother of All Progressives Congress, APC Councillor in Ward 12 Area of Ajoni LCDA
“They killed my brother. I’m not in the right mood. They have left us to mourn. Our mother is grieving. We are traumatised” Deji Omotoyinbo, the diceased mother told Irohinoodua.
Our correspondent learnt that the Fulani herdsmen are some of the Fulani armed men sacked by Ejiba, a community in Kogi State.
Irohinoodua heard that the State Governor has directed all security personnel to comb the forest around Itapaji to locate the kidnapped Pastor and his wife.