Speculations over the release and return of the Kidnapped Ejigbo Local govt Chairman

Chairman, Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Kehinde Bamigbetan who was kidnapped last Monday has been released by his captors.

Although his abductors had reportedly demanded $1m (about N155m), it was not clear how much ransom was paid to the kidnappers to effect the release. Sources said however, that each of the 20 Local Government and 37 LCDA contributed money.

The council chairman who was kidnapped near his house in Ejigbo around 11p.m. on Monday returned home to his family around 11 p.m Saturday night.

Bamigbetan was with his driver, Abiodun Olayiwola, in his black SUV with customised registration number Lagos KOK when the gunmen waylaid him.

The council boss was said to be on his way home from an official assignment when the incident occurred. The matter has been reported at Ejigbo Police Station. His SUV was badly damaged by an electric pole which stopped it while the driver tried to escape from the gunmen.

His driver, Olayiwola, who managed to escape with bruises all over his body, said that they were ambushed by at least four gunmen a few metres away from Bamigbetan’s house.

Acting Police Public Relations Officer, Damascus Ozoani, when contacted however said he was not aware that Bamgbetan had been released.

A local government chairman in Lagos state who spoke to newsmen on condition of anonymity, said he was not sure if Bamigbetan had been released.

“What we heard was that he had been released but as I am talking to you, nobody is sure. We are yet to see anybody to confirm that he or she had seen him,” he said.

Another LG chairman however said he has been released. “What I heard was that he had been released and had contacted his family members. But I have not been able to get in touch with him.”