The recently kidnapped retired Deputy Comptroller of Nigeria Customs Service, Mohammed Zarma has been released.
Zarma who was kidnapped on his fish farm in Ilorin,Kwara state capital was released on Monday evening after an alleged payment of N6M ransom.
Speaking on the development, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO),Ajayi Okasanmi who confirmed that the farmer had been released, however, did not give details.
Although, it was not clear how much was eventually paid as ransom, source said the abductors had initially demanded for N10m which was later negotiated to N6m.
“The kidnappers initially demanded for N10M for his release from his wife,but after much pleading,they agreed on N6M after which he was released “said the source.
Zarma,according to findings by Vanguard from a reliable source was overpowered by the gunmen who caught him unaware on his farm as several gunshots were reportedly fired into the air to scare him and neighbours around before he was abducted.
The gunmen who reportedly trekked to the farm with dangerous weapons such as Ak47, “took the man away by trekking through the bush”.
The retired Customs officer, according to a reliable source was said to be recuperating in a private hospital in Ilorin as a result of the trauma suffered from the abduction.
An earlier statement by the PPRO on the development, said that the retired Deputy Comptroller of Nigeria Customs Service was kidnapped on his farm located at Oke Jia, Egbejila at about 1730hrs on January 6, 2022 by some unknown gunmen speaking a particular Nigerian language.
Read Also: Bandits attack Kaduna, kill man, Kidnap deceased pregnant wife, others
“On the visit to the scene after the incident by the command’s operatives, four empty shells of expended ammunition were recovered”.
Meanwhile, four persons kidnapped along Obbo Ayegunle/Osi road in the Ekiti local government area of the state last week, including a mechanic; Sunday Balogun, his pregnant wife; Mary, his apprentices, Taiye and his twin brother, Kehinde, are yet to be freed by their abductors, except the wife.
Speaking on the incident, a close member of the family, Mrs. Laoye Seyifunmi said that the kidnappers abandoned Sunday’s vehicle at the roadside after the incident.
Another close family source, who does not want his name in print said that the kidnappers have contacted the family also demanding for N10million ransom.
“They have contacted the family demanding for N10million ransom. We have been able to negotiate it to N4million.
“Although, the family and community have been able to gather N2million, they rejected it and said that a Toyota Sienna in his workshop should be sold to pay the ransom.
A top security official confirmed the incident, saying that the wife of the mechanic, Mary, has been freed.
