Prominent Oyo State Islamic cleric, Taofeek Akeugbagold, whose twins were released about 5:30am. on Sunday after eight days of abduction, has revealed that a ransom was paid before the release.
Akeugbagold, who was the Chairman of the Oyo State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Muslim wing, during the administration of former Governor Abiola Ajimobi, confirmed their release in a Facebook post on Sunday morning.
He wrote, “Alhamdulillah! At 5.30 am on Sunday, 3rd May, my abducted twin kids were released to me beside a bush after eight days in an unknown land. Thanks to you all for your prayers and support, Jazakumullahu khairan.”
The twins were picked near the bush at around Mufutau Laninhun College of Education area on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway after the Akeugbagold family had paid ransom running into millions of naira.
From an initial request of 100,000 pounds, the kidnappers and the family had been engaged in negotiations and pleadings over the course of the past days until the kidnappers accepted a reduced sum offered by the Akeugbagold family.
“They initially requested for the ransom of 100,000 pounds and we kept begging them on daily basis to come down on their requested sum until we gave them what we could afford.
“It was then that they released the kids early Sunday morning around 5 am near the bush at Mufutau Lanihun College of Education on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway. The ransom runs into millions of naira,” Akeugbagold said.
While confirming the release of the kids, Oyo Police Public Relations Officer, Gbenga Fadeyi said the police was intensifying efforts to arrest the kidnappers.
Fadeyi avowed that, whether now or later, the police will parade all those persons behind the abduction.
Asked if he was aware that ransom was paid, Fadeyi said he was not privy to such information.
