Gunmen abduct cleric, son, demand N100m

Gunmen struck at Oko-Olowo, a town in Ilorin, Kwara State capital in the early hours of Saturday, and abducted three persons including a Muslim cleric and his son.

According a source, the victim is a young Islamic cleric identified as Alfa Sofiu Amolegbe, who was abducted alongside his son, Aliyu. Another sibling identified as Fasasi was shot and believed to be dead.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the trio were attacked at their residence in Oko-Olowo along Ilorin-Jebba Expressway after the suspected kidnappers removed the burglary of a window in the building through which they gained entry.

The source said an attempt by Fasasi to escape was met with stiff resistance from the kidnappers who reportedly rained bullets on him and also macheted him.

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The father of the victims, Imam Amolegbe of Dada, Okelele area, Ilorin, while narrating the incident, said the kidnappers abandoned Fasasi after shooting him, thinking he was dead. 

Amolegbe said Fasasi was taken by the family to an undisclosed private hospital in Ilorin where he is now recuperating.

Amolegbe said the kidnappers had contacted the family, demanding for N100m ransom.

“The kidnappers have contacted us and they are asking for N100m ransom. We have begged them to accept N10m from us, even though we don’t have the money.

“I am appealing to the state government and men of goodwill to assist us in getting my two sons out of the den of the kidnappers,” the cleric said in a shaky voice.

Since the news of the sad event broke out on Saturday, sympathisers have been thronging the Dada ancestral home of the victims to commiserate with their father who is a popular cleric in the area.

Some of the cleric’s associates have also been holding special prayers that could aid the safe return of the victims.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer Kwara State Command, SP Okasanmi Ajayi, confirmed the abduction of the victims, adding that two suspects had been arrested in connection with the matter.

“The command is already investigating the matter. Effort is also at an advanced stage to get the victims rescued. Meanwhile, two suspects have already been arrested,” he added.