Amotekun operatives storm kidnappers hideout in Kwara State and free Ekiti monarch

MEN of the Ekiti State chapter of the Amotekun Corps have freed the traditional ruler the Obadu of Ilemeso Ekiti Oba David Oyewumi  and arrested six of his kidnappers after mounting a daring raid on their hideout in Kwara State.

On April 15, Oba Oyewumi was abducted by the gunmen who invaded his palace in Ilemeso Ekiti in Oye Local Government Area of Ekiti State at around 9pm. Last  weekend, his abductors contacted the monarch's family and demanded a ransom fee of N20m ($52,500) as a condition for his safe return to his domain.

Sunday Abutu, a spokesman for the Ekiti State Police Command, said the police were not aware of the ransom demand but added that the police and other security agencies were making frantic efforts to rescue the oba. In a dramatic development yesterday, however, men of the Amotekun Corps stormed the kidnapers den in Obbo Ile in Kwara State yesterday and mounted a rescue operation.

One local source said: “Kabiyesi has been released. We are happy about this but I do not know whether any ransom was paid or not.”

Joe Komolafe, the commander of the Ekiti Amotekun Corps, said the traditional ruler was rescued at Obbo Ile in Kwara State with the support of the vigilante members in Kwara State. Mr Abutu added: “The traditional ruler has been reunited with his family, although he is at present receiving treatment in hospital because of the trauma.”

In a related development, the Ekiti State Amotekun Corps also arrested 35-year-old Mohammed Bello, popularly known as Yellow, alleged to be the mastermind of kidnapping in the Ilejemeje, Oye, Ikole areas of the state. Brigadier Komolafe said that the suspect was apprehended on his way from Ajase in Kwara State to Isan Ekiti in Oye Local Government Area.

Brigadier Komolafe added: “He is the one giving information and directing kidnappers to their victims in the area. We have been looking for him since December 25 last year when he was fingered in the kidnap of a businessman Happiness Ajayi, at Iludun Ekiti in the Ilejemeje council area on Christmas day.

“He was involved in the kidnap a fortnight ago of a petrol station manager at Isan Ekiti, as well that of the Obadu of Ilemeso Ekiti, Oba Oyewumi on Thursday. He was arrested while returning to Isan Ekiti after the kidnap of the traditional ruler.”