No ransom paid for abducted MD, son’s release — Source

[Punch]

No ransom was paid to kidnappers to secure the release of the Managing Director of Tokslordmart Ltd, Mr. Martins Adams, and his seven-year-old son, Ireoluwa Martins, who were abducted on Sunday, according to unconfirmed reports.

Adams and his son were released on Wednesday evening and a source close to the family told Saturday PUNCH that the family did not pay "any kobo" for their release.

The abductors had demanded N30m for the release of Adams and his son.

The source said, "They (Adams and Ireoluwa) were released without paying anything. The kidnappers released them after they found out that the MD was a pastor; they decided to release them on free will and even gave them transport back to their home."

The abductees were reportedly kidnapped by four armed men at the polythene manufacturing company's premises on 298, Lagos- Abeokuta Expressway, by Pleasure Bus-Stop, Iyana-Ipaja, which also doubles as their home.

Strangely, Adams' family members and workers had attempted to cover up the incident, with many of them denying reports of the kidnap or refusing to speak to journalists.

The source said, "The family and the management of the company told the staff not to tell anyone about the incident. It could be that the kidnappers strictly warned against it."

Adams' wife, Tokunbo, who earlier denied the kidnapping before the release of her husband and child, confirmed the release on Thursday when Saturday PUNCH contacted her on the telephone.

Tokunbo said, "Yes-yes," when our correspondent asked for the confirmation of Adams and Ireoluwa's release, but quickly added "please-please, I cannot talk now," before hanging up.

Efforts to reach Adams on his mobile phone were unsuccessful as the line was unavailable, however; a source claimed that Adams could be found at his church, New Testament Assembly, Oko-Oba, Agege, Lagos.

The church pastor, Mr. O. A. Olu-samson, denied that Adams was at the church, but confirmed that he and his son had been released.

He said, "They must be tired because it must have been a traumatic experience for them. Maybe that is why you can't reach them but I will advise you give them some time, maybe they will be ready to speak to you later.

"I was not around but when I came back this morning, I was told that they had been released. We thank God because that is our prayer and we need to continue to pray that this sort of thing stops in this country."



The Punch