he abducted twins of the Otun Olubadan of Ibadan land, Dr. Lekan Balogun, have been released by the kidnappers who took them and their mother in front of their family house in Akobo area of Ibadan last week.
Their mother was later dropped at a location, and the abductors contacted the family with a demand of N100m ransom. By weekend, the amount was reduced to N40m, and was finally pegged at N10m on Monday.
Balogun is one of the Ibadan high chiefs elevated to the position of monarch by the Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, before the action was annulled by a court in Ibadan. He said that the N10m ransom was paid before the twins were released.
When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer, Oyo State Command, Adekunle Ajisebutu, confirmed the release to our correspondent, and added that the Police was making frantic efforts to apprehend the kidnappers.
He also said that the children have been reunited with their parents.
Our correspondent gathered that the children were released on Monday night, after which they were taken to an undisclosed hospital for medical check-up in Lagos.
Balogun, who also confirmed the release of the twins, said he was happy that they were released unhurt.
He added that their mother, Funmilayo, travelled with the twins to Lagos and that they would be back in Ibadan soon. He said:
“It is true that a ransom of N10m was paid to the suspected kidnappers before they released my children. You don’t equate money with human lives.”
The mother of the twins, who was hospitalised and treated for shock after the abduction, said she was happy at the release after missing the children for seven days. She said,
“To say that I was happy and I’m still happy now is an understatement and I can’t be thankful enough to God almighty for protecting my children during the period; just as I thank everybody involved in the release of the children.”
