Gunmen who kidnapped a farm manager in Imafon community in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State on Monday have reportedly demanded a ransom of N500 million for his release.

The victim, Afolabi Ajayi, was abducted by the gunmen moments after he arrived at the farm.

Ajayi was said to have stepped out of his vehicle to assess activities on the farm premises when the gunmen emerged from a nearby bush and seized him.

A family source disclosed that the kidnappers made contact on Tuesday and demanded N500 million ransom to secure his freedom.

The source said: “The abductors have reached out and are insisting on N500 million before he can be freed. The family is deeply distressed and unsure of how to raise such an amount.”

He added that efforts were ongoing to negotiate a reduction of the ransom, but the kidnappers were said to have insisted on the amount.

Spokesperson for the Ondo State police command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the command had yet to receive information about the ransom demand.

While noting that security operatives were on the trail of the perpetrators, he urged members of the public to provide credible information that could aid the rescue operation.

“The command is not aware of the ransom demand, but we encourage anyone with useful information to come forward as efforts continue to rescue the victim unhurt and apprehend those responsible,” he said. (Nigerian Tribune)