Despite collecting ransom twice, kidnappers hold on to nursing mother

The abductors of a nursing mother, Kehinde Jubril, popularly known as Iya Yusuf, who was kidnapped last week in Kwara State, have refused to release her despite collecting ransom twice from her family.

The development has raised fears about the safety of the victim in the hands of her kidnappers.

Her abductors, who invaded Oketu, Ago-Oja community in Asa LGA of the state left her four-month-old child with the elder siblings and whisked her away from her husband’s residence along Alhaji Isiaka Oloye Jagun Street.

The abductors also kidnapped a student of Kwara State Polytechnic from his house in Abiye, but he later died at the hospital from injuries he sustained after he initially resisted them after payment of a N400,000 ransom.

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Speaking on the issue with City & Crime on Tuesday, the Baale of Ago-Oja, Malam Daudu Salaudeen Arolu, said it has been a harrowing experience for the community.

 “They have collected ransom twice now but refused to release Iya Yusuf. We initially paid N1.2 million, then N200,000 which they said was for provisions.

 “We were told to bring the money to Asapa, along Afon road but they did not release her as promised after collecting the money. Five days ago, they called to demand for N1.5m and told us to bring it to Eyenkorin.

 “On our way, they said we should rather come to Ogbomosho. We gave them the money but they said we should go and that they will drop her where they kidnapped her. We have since combed the bush with the help of vigilantes and soldiers without any success.

“They have not contacted her husband since then, and their number is not going. We don’t know what else they want. Her four months old daughter is with the husband’s second wife at Laduba. It has been a harrowing experience for the whole community and family,” he added.