The Ogun State Police Command has disclosed that the hoodlums who abducted a 400-level student of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Toyinbo Olayinka, the owner of the farm, Dominic; and a 17-year-old Togolese girl, on Saturday asked them to sell off the farm to raise their ransom.
The police however said they moved to the farm to prevent this from happening.
The kidnappers had reportedly demanded N150m before they could release the victims, who were abducted on Saturday.
The victims, who were picked up from a private farm at Abule Itoko in the Odeda Local Government Area of the state, were released on Monday.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, told the Punch the police successfully blocked the sale of the farm.
He stated, “Yes, he (Olayinka) was rescued last night (Monday). We had to take possession of the farm when we got a hint that the kidnappers had asked the owner to sell it to raise the ransom.
“We did not allow that to happen. We ensured the victims’ release. We will go after the kidnappers and ensure that they are apprehended.”
Meanwhile, John Oyeleye, the uncle of the student, said Olayinka was tortured by his abductors.
Oyeleye disclosed this when he visited FUNAAB after his nephew’s release.
Oyeleye, who addressed the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Kolawole Salako, members of his management team and some student leaders, said the victim’s father could not come due to old age, but sent his appreciation to the university management and the students at large.
He stated that the family was making plans to take Olayinka for treatment.
“We thank God that everything went well; our student came out safe and sound,” Salako, who reiterated the commitment of his administration to students welfare, said.
