By Charles Akinbode
An abducted gold miner simply identified as Alhaji Adepoju and his driver have been released by their captors after receiving N20 million ransom from them.
The victims were traveling on Ilesha-Osogbo highway last Friday on a caterpillar when they were kidnapped by unknown armed men.
Their captors were said to have initially demanded N100 million from the victims’ families but after negotiation was reduced to N20 million.
Pleading anonymity, a family source said: “Alhaji Adepoju, didn’t return home on Friday, the fateful day he and his driver were abducted. We were worried when we waited till Friday night but didn’t hear from them. We called Alhaji’s phone number repeatedly but he wasn’t picking his calls.
“But on Saturday morning we got a call from one of the kidnappers who asked us to bring N100 million as ransom for Alhaji’s release. We became more worried because we don’t have that money. We have been praying ever since for his unconditional release.
“Today we are happy that Alhaji and the driver have been released after payment of the ransom. We thank God for their safe return.”