The kidnapped wife of former military administrator of Bauchi and Osun states, Colonel Theophilus Bamigboye, has regained freedom after three days in captivity.
Mrs Jumoke Bamigboye was abducted by gunmen in Oko Olowo area, in Ilorin South Local Government Area of Kwara State on Saturday, November 5, 2022.
It was gathered that the victim, who is a Magistrate in Kwara State judiciary and member of Rotary Club International, was returning from her farm in Oko-Olowo where she went to supervise garri processing when the gunmen waylaid and forced her out of the car.
The kidnappers who later got in contact with her family were said to have demanded for a ransom of N100 million which was later negotiated downward to N50 million.
Colonel Bamigboye, who confirmed the development said his wife was released on Monday night, November 7, 2022, after payment of ransom.
“She was set free and released last night, we thank God for her safety but not without payment of ransom.” he said.
Bamigboye said that his wife had been taken to the hospital for medical attention after her release.
Spokesperson of the State Police Command, SP Ajayi Okasanmi, who confirmed the release in a statement said four suspects including a woman have been arrested in connection with the abduction.
“On 05/11/2022 at about 1800hrs an information regarding the abduction of Magistrate Oladapo Jumoke Bamigboye ‘F’ of GRA, Ilorin was received. The victim was said to have been abducted in her farm located at Ayegun Village via Eyenkorin, Ilorin at about 1730hrs of same day,” the statement read.
“On reciept of the information, the Commissioner of Police Kwara State, Cp Paul Odama psc(+) immediately dispatched a team of Anti-Kidnapping unit assisted by Vigilante and local hunters to the scene to comb and search for possible rescue of the victim.
“The victim was geo-located to have been hidden in the forest between Eyenkorin/Afon/ Ogbomoso axis, this discovery emboldened the police teams to intensify their search, rescue and arrest operation in the located area which consequently culminated in the release of the victims.
“The efforts of the police and vigilante teams led to the recovery of the victims vehicle, arrest of three (3) male suspects Abubakar Ibrahim ‘M’, Mamud Ibrahim ‘M’, Muhamed Kiri ‘M’ and one female suspect named Abibatu Jimoh ‘f’ who was discovered to be the supplier of Gari and other food items with which the victim was fed while under their captivity.
“Investigation into the matter is still ongoing as efforts are still in top gear to arrest the remaining kidnappers. The victim has now been re-united with her family after undergoing medical examination to ascertain the condition of her health,” the PPRO added.
Meanwhile, the CP has empathized with the victim and her family over the unpleasant and traumatic experience during her period with the abductors.
He stated that the police would not relent in her attempt to possibly eradicate crimes and criminality in the State.
The commissioner advised the good people of Kwara state to be vigilant and conscious of happenings around them at all times and to monitor the activities of strange faces patronizing them especially those in the business of selling stable and quick/easy to consume meals to avoid innocently feeding victims of abductions in their area.
The CP confirmed that the suspects arrested in the matter would be charged to court as soon as investigation into the case in concluded.
