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Kidnapper demand N10m for Edo commissioner 

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The gunmen who kidnapped the Edo State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Barr Emmanuel Agbale, has demanded N10m as ransom.

The kidnappers on Sunday reached out to his family demanding the huge sum.

A family source who preferred anonymity said the family received a call from the kidnappers last night (Saturday) which confirmed that the Commissioner was still in their custody.

“It was last night that they called us and told us that he was in their custody and that he is safe. He gave the phone to him so we can speak with him,” said the family source.

Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Lawal Jimeta who denied knowledge of the ransom demand however confirmed that the hoodlums did have a mobile phone conversation with the panic-stricken family members.

Agbale was reportedly kidnapped on Friday evening, by the armed gang, along the Benin/Auchi road at Okhuo River just by Heartland Palm Plantation, as he journeyed to Ekpoma.

His police orderly was killed on the spot as the gunmen opened fire at the vehicle conveying the Commissioner to his country home.

While the commissioner’s driver escaped unhurt, Jimeta said that the police orderly was gunned down by the kidnappers during the operation.

A close source said that negotiations were already on between the kidnappers and the family members, adding that they initially demanded N20 million ransom before letting go of Agbale but that the money has been slashed to N10 million.

He added:

“The kidnappers have held several telephone conversations with the family members and made their demand known. From an initial demand of N20 million, they reduced it was to N10 which they insisted must be paid before releasing him.”

The Edo Police boss who spoke yesterday in Benin was, however silent as to whether the kidnappers were Fulani herdsmen or not but maintained that his men were hot on the trail of the kidnappers and have been combing the forest around the scene in a determined bid to release the commissioner.

He assured that the police will do everything possible to ensure that he is released unhurt and the kidnappers brought to the book.

He said:

“The Commissioner was kidnapped on Friday evening along Benin-Auchi road. His police orderly was killed by the gunmen. Right now, my men are everywhere, combing the bush to rescue him. By God’s Grace, we will rescue him alive. We are closing in on them. We will bring the kidnappers to justice.”

Tribune

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