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Kidnappers demand N100m for Oba’s wife, others after killing Kwara monarch
The killers of Oba of Koro, have demanded a ransome of N100million to release the deceased wife and two others that were abducted to an unknown destination.
Olukoro of Koro in the Ekiti Local Government Area, Oba Olusegun Aremu-Cole, a former senior military officer, who just returned from trip, was shot dead by the assailants on the evening of Thursday at his palace.
According to the younger brother of the monarch, Mr Adelaja Aremu, the assailants shot his brother dead for refusing to follow their orders to stand up and come with them.
A family member of the monarch told PUNCH on Friday night that the abductors also gave a 48-hour deadline within which the money must be paid or they would kill the victims.
“They are asking for N100m ransom. They have said the money must be ready in 48 hours,” the source said.
Koro shares boundaries with Egbe in the Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, and Irele/Oke Ako/Ipao/Oke Aiyedun and Ikole in Ekiti State. Indigenes of the communities share farm boundaries. Gunmen on Monday attacked three monarchs from the communities.
The attack led to the killing of the Onimojo of Imojo Ekiti in the Oye Local Government Area and the Elesun of Esun Ekiti in Ajoni, Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State, while the Alara of Ara in the Ikole Local Government Area of the state managed to escape when the gunmen accosted them and attempted to forcefully take them away while returning from a journey.
In confirming the incident on Thursday night, the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, condemned the monarch’s killing and the abduction of his wife and another palace resident.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, quoted AbdulRazaq as charging security agencies not to spare any resources to track down the perpetrators, free the spouse and others taken away, and bring them to book.
“We will certainly get the perpetrators and ensure that this is their last crime against humanity. My profound condolences go to the people of Koro. Our hearts are broken, and we stand by them at this time and always,” the governor added.
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