Abductors of Kwara district head contact victim’s family, demand N60m ransom

Abductors of a retired permanent secretary, who is the District Head of Erubu in Kwara State, Dr Zubair Erubu, have reached out to his family, demanding N60 million as ransom.

It was learnt that on Sunday evening, the kidnappers did not give room for negotiation, but insisted that the money must be paid to secure his release from captivity.

A member of his family, who craved anonymity, disclosed that the abductors contacted the family on Friday night, saying that the sad incident has caused a traumatic experience for them.

“The abductors had reached out to us on Friday night. They demanded a sum of N60 million ransom before they can set Dr Erubu free. They did not even wait for negotiation before ending the phone call.

“This is a terrible moment for us and it’s traumatic. We just pray that they do not harm doctor. We are trusting Almighty Allah that he would be released soon without any problem,” he said.

Erubu, who is also the Magaji Erubu of Ilorin Emirate, has spent the fourth night in the kidnappers’ custody since he was abducted at gunpoint on Thursday last week.

He was said to be returning from Ilorin metropolis to retire at his Ago-Oja residence in Asa Local Government Area of the state when the kidnappers struck and seized him.

He was said to be in Ilorin earlier on the day of the incident to attend to a patient who was undergoing treatment in his private hospital located in Balogun Fulani Area of Ilorin.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Kwara, Ajayi Okasanmi, who confirmed the incident, said operatives of the command were trailing Erubu’s abductors, although they have yet to make headway.

Ajayi said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Tuesday Assayomo, has directed a rescue operation to ensure the timely release of the victim from his abductors.