By Olufemi Oni, Ilorin.
Wife of Col. Theophilus Bamigboye (Rtd.), former military administrator of Bauchi and Osun states, Mrs. Jumoke Bamigboye, on Monday night regained her freedom from her abductors who reportedly kidnapped her on Saturday.
Mrs. Bamigboye, a Magistrate in Kwara state and a member of Rotary Club International, was reportedly abducted by some gunmen in Oko Olowo area in Ilorin South local government area of Kwara state while returning from the farm where she had gone to supervise Garri processing meant for supply to her customer
The kidnappers were said to have contacted her family, demanding a ransom of N100m for her release until it was later negotiated to N50m as at Monday evening.
Colonel Bamigboye, who had earlier confirmed the abduction to journalists before her release, said she was kidnapped by gunmen at Oko-Olowo while returning from the farm on Saturday.
“She was returning from the farm on Saturday evening when gunmen waylaid and forced her out of her car. They took her away to an unknown destination. They later got in contact and demanded for ransom to be paid before her release. Efforts are in top gear to secure her release”, he said.
However, while confirming her release, Bamigboye said she was released on Monday night but not until after the payment of ransom which he did not disclose.
“She was set free and released last night. We thank God for her safety, but not without payment of ransom,” he added.
Bamigboye said his wife had been taken to the hospital for medical attention after her release from her abductors.
Speaking on the development, the Police Public Relations officer (PPRO), Ajayi Okasanmi, who confirmed the release said Mrs. Bamigboye was released by the kidnappers last nigh, adding that three suspects have been arrested in connection with her kidnap.
Okasanmi was, however, silent on whether any ransom was paid to the kidnappers before she was released.
“Yes, she has been released. Three
suspects were arrested and efforts to arrest the remaining suspects are underway,” he said.
Meanwhile, sympathisers have been trooping to the residence of Colonel Theophilus Bamigboye (rtd) at the GRA area, Ilorin to congratulate him on the release of his wife.
Some of the sympathisers sighted included the Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Abdulraheem Adeoti, his chiefs and Oloris, while he was also receiving telephone calls every minute from far and wide from eminent people who were congratulating him