By Babatunde Kaka
EKO HOT BLOG reports that mixed feelings have trailed the release of a trader, Hajia Aminat Folorunsho-Balogun, who was kidnapped in Epe on Sunday, Aug. 7.
This online media platform recalls that the woman was kidnapped in her shop on Sunday night around the Plywood junction axis of Lagos Road, Epe.
However, respite came when on Tuesday night, around 9 o’clock, the figure of Aminat was sighted by her troubled family members having been dropped off from a commercial motorcycle.
A reliable source close to the family told EKO HOT BLOG that the family burst out in praises to the Almighty Allah for her prompt release while also shedding tears of joy.
Revealing how the victim was released, the source disclosed that the family was grateful to members of the public who came to their aid during such a trying time, stressing that the community was no longer safe as it has been infiltrated by audacious criminal elements who could have such temerity to orchestrate such an act.
“We thank Almighty Allah for her release. Everyone should be on alert in this community because the kidnappers were highly organised as they have informants watching each and every one of our moves when the incident occurred. At the garage and while we moved to the Police Station in the dead of the night, they saw us and even greeted us,” the source said.
He revealed that the abductors were strategic in their planning as the gang who kidnapped the victim was different from those who guarded her and those who called the family to negotiate the ransom of an initial N50m.
“The kidnappers didn’t operate based on any tip-off, she was unknown to them and when she got abducted, they asked about who they can contact for the ransom, and she said her father.
“The representative of the family went to drop the N3m in Ibadan.
“As they parked at the spot where the kidnap spokesperson instructed them to park, they rode on a bike atop a hill on a dusty road.
“They were told to give the phone to an ‘okada’ man for direction on a very awkward road. They were told that they’ve been sighted and shouldn’t look back before and after dropping the cash.
“They saw nobody, everywhere was dark and thereafter went back to the filling station after which they trekked a far distance from there to where they parked their car,” the source disclosed.
The source further disclosed that having dropped the ransom, they awaited Hajia Aminat’s release around the Gurumaraji axis but the abductors told them to go home, promising that the victim would join them later in Epe.
“She was dropped around the Lagos-Ogun State boundary, in Mojoda and was given the sum of N500 to find her way home.
“The phone with her wasn’t returned but was given her husband’s SIM card. When the incident happened, she took her husband’s phone thinking she would use it to contact her family when she is eventually freed.
“Sensing a possible danger ahead, she was smart enough to hand over the phone to her abductors in order not to provoke their wrath when it rings,” he said.
The source revealed that the abductors smacked Hajia Aminat for the act and demanded her gold jewellery.
He also said the family members were stunned that Hajia Aminat was blindfolded in a Sienna SUV on their trail and the occupants even said ”Alfa, salam aleykum,” to them while they were in search of her in the dead of the night.
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