MAPOLY Student Kidnappers Reduce Ransom

The kidnappers of two students from Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Ogun State, who each demanded 10 million naira for their release, reduced the ransom to 2 million naira each.

The students, a part-time National Diploma 1 student, Adejare Olayemi, and a Higher National Diploma ll student, Orekoya Oluwatobi, are from the Department of Business Administration.

Armed men abducted them on Friday evening along the Lagos-Ibadan highway. They were removed on Friday evening. They also took a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Adigun Agbaje.

When the kidnappers initially contacted the families of their victims, they demanded 50 million naira for the release of Mr Agbaje, a political science professor and former Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academics.

They also demanded N10 million for each of the two PREMIUM TIMES students learned.

PREMIUM TIMES has also learned that Mr. Agbaje, who is currently on sabbatical at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye in Ogun State, was on his way to Ibadan around 6:00 p.m. Friday when he ran into the gunmen.

After their exam was postponed twice, the students were returning home before being picked up near Sat Guru Maharaji Garden at the Ibadan end of the Lagos-Ibadan highway.

READ ALSO:

A family member of the student who does not want his name printed for fear of the unknown told PREMIUM TIMES that during one of their negotiations with the kidnappers over the phone, they agreed to take 2 million naira each for the release of the students.

Co-workers and the Polytechnic Students' Union have launched a fundraising campaign for the abducted students.

One of the kidnapped MAPOLY students, Oluwatobi Orekoya.

The union, through a statement signed by its president, Damilola Ajani, confirmed the reduction of the ransom.

Mr. Ajani said the kidnappers gave 2:00 p.m. Sunday (today) as the deadline for the payment of four million naira for the students.

"Unfortunately, the kidnappers are demanding a total sum of ten million naira each for the release of the victims.

Speaking on the phone, Mr. Ajani confirmed the ransom reduction adding, "There are only a few hours left before the deadline given by the kidnappers."

He also said, "The Students' Union has contacted the state government through the SA on Student Affairs. We have also met with the Ogun State Police Commissioner and the Director of DSS.

"We have been assured that the security agencies are working diligently to facilitate the release of the victims. However, the urgency and sensitivity of the case necessitate this fundraising.

"We urge all members of the public to save the lives of...