The wife of a retired, former military administrator of Bauchi and Osun states, Colonel Theophilus Bamigboye, on Monday night regained freedom from the kidnappers who abducted her on Saturday in Oko Olowo area, Ilorin in Ilorin South Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Mrs Jumoke Bamigboye, who is a judicial officer in Kwara State and a member of Rotary Club International, was reportedly kidnapped by some gunmen on her way from the farm on Saturday.
Our correspondent gathered that she was returning from her farm in Oko-Olowo where she went to supervise garri processing which was to be supplied to some customers.
The kidnappers who later got in contact with her family were said to have demanded for a ransom of N100million before her release which was later negotiated downward to N50million as at Monday evening.
Colonel Bamigboye who confirmed the abduction to The PUNCH on Monday night before her release said that she was kidnapped by gunmen at Oko-Olowo while returning from the farm on Saturday.
“She was returning from the farm on Saturday evening when gunmen waylaid and forced her out of the car. They took her away to an unknown destination. They later got in contact and demanded for ransom to be paid before her release,” he said.
Bamigboye said that efforts had been on top gear to secure her release.
However, while confirming her release on Tuesday, Bamigboye said that she was released on Monday night but not after the payment of ransom which he was silent upon.
“She was set free and released last night, we thank God for her safety but not without payment of ransom.”
Bamigboye said that his wife had been taken to the hospital for medical attention after her release from the den of the kidnappers.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ajayi Okasanmi, who confirmed the release said that she was released by the kidnappers last night.
He said that three suspects had been arrested in connection with the kidnap of Mrs Bamigboye who is a Magistrate in Kwara State judiciary.
Okasanmi was however silent on whether any ransom was paid to the kidnappers before she was released.
He said, “Yes, she has been released. Three suspects were arrested and efforts to get the remaining suspects are underway please.”
Meanwhile, sympathisers have been trooping to the residence of the retired colonel at the GRA area, Ilorin to congratulate him on the release of his wife.
Some of the sympathisers sighted included the Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Abdulraheem Adeoti, his chiefs and Oloris, while the colonel received many calls on his mobile phone.
