The kidnapped traditional head (Odionwere) of Iyohin community, in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, Pa Samson Izevbuwa, has been released after three days in captivity.
The kidnappers were said to have requested the sum of N20 million as ransom from the family before they later agreed to N2 million after days of negotiations.
Recall Wilson Igbinovia, son of the Enogie (Duke) of Ogan dukedom, His Royal Highness (HRH) George Igbinovia, was recently kidnapped from his house in the nearby Ogan community. Igbinovia was subsequently freed by his abductors after they collected N3 million as ransom payment from the family.
However, our reporter gathered that the Odionwere, who was abducted last Tuesday night at Iyohin, was later freed on Saturday night by the kidnappers after they collected N2 million.
“Our Odionwere (traditional head) was released on Saturday night after the family paid N2 million. It was not easy negotiating with them and paying the money.
“They (kidnappers) left him at Ugbeghile community, where the children went to pick him up. He was very weak when they saw him”, an inhabitant of Iyohin community told The Nigerian Observer
It was further gathered that the now freed elderly traditional head has since been admitted at an undisclosed health facility in the state capital for medical attention.
SP Chidi Nwabuzor, spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command, could not be reached to confirm the development as calls and text messages sent to his mobile phone were yet to be responded to as at the time of this report.
