Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen have reportedly got N15 million in ransom after kidnapping a UK-returnee farmer and his brother in Lagos.
The farmer, who owns Ikorodu Integrated Farm, was said to have visited the farm located in Shalabo village, between Isiwu and Imota areas of Lagos State, alongside his brother when the assailants struck last week Tuesday.
TheCable reported, quoting an unnamed family source, that the assailants attacked the farm with sophisticated weapons, causing everyone to scamper for safety.
After kidnapping the victims, the gunmen were said to have demanded N10 million in ransom.
“We contacted the Imota police station to officially report and through the help of some individuals, we were able to get the Lagos state commissioner of police, CP Hakeem Odumosu, who assured us that his men have been deployed.
“However, the abductors on Wednesday increased the ransom from N10 million to N20 million and threatened to do the unthinkable if the money is made available.
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“We contacted the police again to update them with the latest demand of the kidnappers, but we were told to cooperate with them in view of the safety of the victims.
“We had no choice than to run around for the money. We sold the farm in question, we sold our cars and our house and eventually raised N10 million but the kidnappers insisted that we must pay N20 million before our brothers can be released.
“So, we went to borrow from friends, colleagues and family members and after much pleas, the kidnappers agreed to collect N15 million which was paid on Friday before the victims regained their freedom,” the source was quoted to have said.
The Lagos State Police Command has yet to confirm the development.