The kidnappers of the traditional ruler of Apaa Bunu in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Oba Adebisi Obademi have reportedly contacted the family.
While the search for the monarch is continuing, the abductors are said to have made a ransom demand of N1million to his family on Thursday before they could release him, Vanguard reports.
The abductors were said to have sounded calm and friendly over the phone when they made the demand.
A close family source, who asked not to be named, confirmed the situation, while also stating that the monarch’s family and traditional council were also sitting over the matter.
“Yes, they have contacted the family demanding for ransom. They told us that Kabiyesi is in safe hands and that we need to pay for his release. The abductors didn’t sound hostile during the conversation.
“We may not want to make further statements not to jeopardize the efforts of the Police in tracking the abductors. But we have been meeting to ensure our royal father is released to us soon,’ the source said.
There has been an increase in the cases of high-profile kidnappings in the country in recent times.
It will be recalled that a former Secretary to the Federal Government, Chief Olu Falae was recently kidnapped from his farm in Ondo state by gun-wielding men and released four days later, his family having paid a ransom fee running into millions of naira to buy his freedom.
A columnist with the Vanguard newspapers, Donu Kogbara was kidnapped in Port Harcourt, Rivers state in August; Toyin, the wife of Deputy Managing Director of The SUN newspapers, Steve Nwosu was kidnapped in Lagos; and, Ejire the second son of Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Ndowa Lale was equally kidnapped in Rivers state.
However they all regained their freedom with no report of any ransom fee having been paid to secure their release.
The Kogi State Police Command has promised to do everything within its power to secure the monarch’s release.