The demand of N50 million ransom for the release of an elder with the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State, 70-year-old Pa Adeife Adelaja, has left netizens suspecting that family members might be behind the abduction.
Pa Adelaja was abducted on New Year’s Eve as he prepared to attend his church’s crossover service and has since remained in the kidnappers’ den.
The police, according to Premium Times, confirmed the reports, adding that efforts are being intensified to secure the septuagenarian’s release.
“The police have been working to get the man released. We are on it, though the kidnappers have been trying to mislead us about their location. We are on their trail, and very soon, we shall achieve success,” the Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Abiodun Alamutu said.
A family source whose name was withheld said that the ransom demand of N50 million is too much for the family who are now negotiating for N10 million.
“Negotiations are ongoing, and there are talks of reducing the ransom to N10 million. But I am not certain if any payment has been made,” the source added.
Meanwhile, Facebookers had their say concerning the matter, as one user identified as Abiodun Ishola Ladepo claimed that similar cases were discovered to have been carried out by family members in neighbouring states.
“I wish him safe return. Many of these kidnappings, we found out last year in Oyo, Ondo and Ekiti states, and at least one case in Kwara, are being perpetrated by relatives and acquaintances.
May God protect us from enemies within,” he claimed.
However, another user with the name Eruobodo said, “Left to me, we will go after the perpetrators with the powers our forebears left for us for our protection. Left to me!
“Regardless of the outcome of this traumatic incident, if I should have my way, I will still have those powers to pursue his kidnappers and their accomplices, even if Eruobodo is found amongst them, let him die a horrific death!”
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