By Peter Oriyomi
After an intense gun battle, the security operatives and local hunters early Sunday morning rescued Rashidat, one of the two kidnapped wives of the Oba Ogboni Agbaye, Adetoyese Olakisan, from her abductors.
A N25 million bait was also set for the kidnappers but they did not fall for it, according to a family source.
Head of Kiriji Heritage Defenders, Dr. Ademola Ekundayo, who explained to journalists how Rashidat was rescued, disclosed that the kidnappers had earlier demanded N2 million ransom and some items, including milk, energy drinks, cigarettes and a phone voucher.
He said: “Their base is after Oke-Imesi along Ikoro-Ekiti road very close to Osun bridge. We rescued her in the forest close to Aba Paanu. We went to the forest where they hid her, we were able to rescue her without paying the abductors any money late on Saturday
“Men of Kiriji Heritage Defenders were used as bait. Police operatives were also involved. They asked us to buy 5 cartons of energy drinks, one roll of cigarettes, one carton of milk, recharge cards, malt among others.
“Two of our boys went there to deliver the ransom and we mounted surveillance around the area. They shot at us and after an exchange of gunfire, they abandoned her and we rescued her. She is currently being treated in a hospital. Her abductors are Fulani men and they have a base in that area. They have their cattle there.”
Also, leader of the local security men, Ajayi Adebayo, said: “I went into the forest with my team, We have been there since three day ago but we had a breakthrough early hours of today. We were shot at repeatedly before we overpowered them.”
Rashidat and another wife of Oba Ogboni Agbaye were kidnapped last Sunday at their late husband’s Imesi-Ile house in Obokun Local Government Area.
Oba Ogboni Agbaye was away in Osogbo when the kidnappers attacked his house midnight Sunday and whisked away his two wives.
In his search for his wives, Oba Ogboni Agbaye lost his life in a tragic accident with two other occupants of the vehicle in which they were traveling.
While one of the wives reportedly escaped last Monday through the help of her husband’s ghost, Rashidat remained in captivity till Saturday when a combined team of the security agents and the Kiriji Heritage Defenders stormed the kidnappers’ den at Aba Panu in Ekiti State and freed her.
