Five days after the abduction of Omoniyi Eleyinmi, a staff member of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) in Ondo State, his captors have demanded a ₦7 million ransom for his release.
Eleyinmi, who works in the university’s Faculty of Education, was kidnapped while returning to his home in Supare-Akoko, Akoko South West Local Government Area, from work.
According to reports, the gunmen had arrived at his residence ahead of him and, upon his arrival, seized him amid sporadic gunfire as he alighted from a commercial motorcycle from Akungba.
According to a family source, the kidnappers, who made contact with Eleyinmi’s family on Thursday for the ransom, had on Wednesday, allowed the wife of the victim to briefly speak with him for proof of life.
The source disclosed that the kidnappers had initially demanded a N100 million ransom but later reduced it to N7 million after a series of pleas and negotiations.
Following the development, the Alumni Association of AAUA where Eleyinmi also graduated from has called for donations from Nigerians to raise the demanded ransom to secure his release.
In a statement issued by the Global Publicity Secretary of the association, O’Seun Ogunsakin appealed that timely donations will go a long way in ensuring that Eleyinmi reunites with his family hale and hearty.
The statement reads in parts, “Distinguished Alumni, I am sure that majority of you must have heard the news of the kidnap of one of us, Niyi Eleyinmi who is the Faculty Officer of the Faculty of Education, AAUA.
Eleyinmi was kidnapped on Monday and the kidnappers had demanded the sum of Seven million Naira (#7,000,000). It is on this note that I want to passionately appeal to you to donate towards securing the safe release of Niyi from his captors.
We have just 24 hours to raise the aforementioned sum. Kindly make your donation into the account below:
Polaris Bank 1011167606 Akinwande Joyce Morenikeji. May God help us as we make the donation.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal has directed tactical commanders to ensure that the victims is rescued unhurt.
While distancing the police from ransom negotiation, Ayanlade stated that “The Commissioner of Police has directed all tactical commanders to swiftly act and ensure that the victim is rescued. He also directed that all suspects connected with the crime are apprehended.
