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Kidnapped Ondo Monarch Regains Freedom After Family Pays Ransom

The local monarch was released on Tuesday evening after spending four days in captivity inside the thick forest of Akoko, an area notorious for kidnapping in Ondo State.

Oba Joel Daodu, the Oniyani of Iyani Akoko in Akoko North West Area of Ondo State who was abducted by gunmen last weekend, was freed on Tuesday after his family members paid for his release, SaharaReporters has learned.

The local monarch was released on Tuesday evening after spending four days in captivity inside the thick forest of Akoko, an area notorious for kidnapping in Ondo State.

A source who confirmed the details to SaharaReporters said that the monarch was set free by his abductors after his family paid an undisclosed amount of money as ransom.

“Oba Joel Daodu was set free today (Tuesday) by the kidnappers at a nearby bridge in Ogbese after his family paid a huge amount of money for his release," the source said.

Unknown gunmen had kidnapped the local monarch on Saturday on Ikare-Owo Road and demanded a sum of N15 million as ransom.

On Monday, the kidnappers reduced the ransom to N3 million after contacting a close family member.

The family member who was contacted told the kidnappers that they could only raise the sum of N1 million for the release of the traditional ruler.

Ondo State police spokesperson Femi Joseph confirmed to SaharaReporters that Oba Daodu was released after spending four days in captivity.

“I just spoke with some journalists now about the development and I can tell you that the monarch has been freed unhurt at a local community in Ogbese,” Mr. Joseph told our correspondent. “He (Oba Joel Daodu) has met with some senior police officers and gave details of his abduction, mostly about his experience in captivity.”

SaharaReporters gathered that Oba Joel Daodu has been reunited with his family members after discussing his abduction with the police.

A source in the palace disclosed that the monarch would give an address on his abduction to members of the community tomorrow.

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