Wife of slain Kwara forest guard freed after N5m ransom
The wife of a forest guard killed during a bandits’ attack in Oba-Isin has been released following the payment of a N5 million ransom, a senior community official confirmed on Tuesday. The Otun to the Kabiyesi (the traditional ruler’s second-in-command), Shola Oba Ogunleye, confirmed the killing of Mr. Raheem Ogunrinde, popularly known as Baba Kafaya, […]
The wife of a forest guard killed during a bandits’ attack in Oba-Isin has been released following the payment of a N5 million ransom, a senior community official confirmed on Tuesday.
The Otun to the Kabiyesi (the traditional ruler’s second-in-command), Shola Oba Ogunleye, confirmed the killing of Mr. Raheem Ogunrinde, popularly known as Baba Kafaya, and the subsequent release of his wife, Mrs. Funke Ogunrinde, on Tuesday.
“His abducted wife has been released after the payment of N5m. We had to take a loan, sell property, and borrow money to pay the ransom to save her, as the children her late husband left behind are still very young.
“We also call on those who fled the community to return, as things are now stable and, by the grace of God, there should be no further incidents,” he said while speaking with Daily Trust.
The tragedy unfolded over the weekend when bandits stormed Oba-Isin around 7 p.m., throwing the community into a panic. During the attack, Mr. Ogunrinde engaged the assailants in a gun duel but was fatally shot. Following the attack, many residents fled to neighboring towns for safety.
Initially, the abductors had demanded a staggering N100 million ransom for the release of Mrs. Ogunrinde, according to a family source who spoke to journalists.
“We were called by the bandits and told to pay N100 million if we wanted our mother alive. We were moving around to raise the funds and even requested that the amount be reduced, but they did not initially agree,” the source said.
Security operatives have since taken over Oba-Isin, keeping a close watch on the town to prevent further attacks.