Suspected kidnappers of AAUA staff arrested while sharing ransom in Ondo forest

Three suspected kidnappers of a staff member of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State, Omoniyi Eleyinmi, have been arrested.

Recall that the victim was abducted last Monday while returning to his Supare-Akoko residence from work.

The suspects were apprehended in the early hours of Monday, August 11 while allegedly sharing the ransom collected from the families of Eleyinmi for his release.

The fresh development is coming barely 24 hours after the staff member of the state-owned university regained freedom following the payment of an undisclosed ransom to set him free.

In a viral video posted on social media, it was gathered that the suspects were nabbed inside a thick forest in Ago Panu, a village and settlement between the Oba Akoko and Owo area of the state.

It is not immediately clear if they were nabbed by security agencies or local hunters.

Eleyinmi, a faculty officer in the department of education at the AAUA, was released by his captors on Sunday, nearly a week after his abduction.

A colleague of the university staff, who pleaded anonymity, had confirmed his release.

Also, a family source who spoke in confidence disclosed that Eleyinmi was freed after the payment of a substantial ransom.

Sources said the kidnappers initially demanded N100 million from the family but later reduced it to N7 million after negotiations.