A popular cocoa dealer in Supare Akoko, Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State, Idowu Shaba, miraculously escaped from his kidnappers’ hideout when they fell asleep.
The 55-year-old cocoa merchant and others in his car were on their way to Idoani in Ose Local Government Area of the state for a church programme when they were ambushed by gunmen between Afo and Idoani.
The kidnappers took Shaba and a female passenger in the car into the forest.
According to a source, the kidnappers had demanded a ransom of N10 million before the victims fled their den.
The source added that Shaba had feigned to be deep asleep and snoring heavily in the night alongside the female victim.
While craving anonymity, the source said, “That must have made his abductors, who believed that their victims were deep asleep to also take their time to sleep comfortably.
“Shaba seized the opportunity to carry their weapons. He took his abductors’ AK-47 rifle, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons in their possession and also rescued the other lady.”
The source added that the rifles had police inscriptions.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the State, SP Funmilayo Odunlami, said investigation had commenced towards nabbing the kidnappers.