Popular petroleum products dealer, Alhaji Suleiman Akinbami, who was kidnapped in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, last Sunday night was set free by his kidnappers on Sunday afternoon after spending a week in captivity.
He was abducted about 9 pm last Sunday at his petrol station along Ado–Ijan Ekiti Road by the gunmen.
A source close to the family, who said Akinbami had rejoined his family on arrival at Ado Ekiti, said he could not ascertain whether any ransom was paid for his freedom.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti State Command, Sunday Abutu, who confirmed the release of the oil merchant, said, “He was released around 3pm somewhere in Kogi State”.
Abutu said men and officers of the command had not rested since he was whisked away last week, saying, “We have been on the trail of the kidnappers, serious manhunt had been launched on them, we believe that it was when the criminals felt that the pressure was much that led to his release”.
The police spokesperson, who said, “No arrest has been made all along. Efforts are still ongoing”, added that he was not aware of any ransom paid to secure the man’s release, saying, “As a matter of fact, we don’t negotiate with criminals. I am not aware of any ransom.”
He, however, advised residents, “The plain fact is that the police work better with useful and timely information.
“We are telling our people that they should give us useful and timely information that could lead to the arrest of those suspects and other criminal elements in society. They should be security conscious and ensure that they watch people around them.”
