Kidnappers hold father hostage in lieu of escaped sons

Kidnappers have held unto a father who had gone to bail out his three children with a ransom after his sons had escaped from the kidnappers’ den.

The people of Oreke community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State were shell shock, when a father was taken hostage by kidnappers after delivering a ransom to free his three sons, who unknown to him, had already escaped from captivity.

According to security sources, the three brothers were abducted by armed men last week while returning from a nearby town. The kidnappers later contacted their family and demanded a ransom of N@7 million.

In a desperate bid to save his children, the father raised the amount and went into the forest to deliver it to the kidnappers. Unknown to him, his sons had already escaped shortly before his arrival.

Upon seeing the father arrive alone, the kidnappers turned on him and took him hostage, telling him he would now stay in place of his sons.

“They told him that since the children were no longer with them, he would now be held in their place,” a police source in Ilorin, the state capital, said.

The kidnappers have now demanded a fresh ransom, reportedly higher than the original N7 million, for the man’s release.

The escaped brothers were said to have visited the police headquarters over the weekend to help with the ongoing investigation.

Security agencies are said to be working round the clock to trace the kidnappers’ hideout and secure the father’s freedom.

A senior officer confirmed that the case has been reported and is receiving urgent attention from top security officials.