Falae’s Abductors Reduce Ransom to N90m • Family Raises N2m

Negotiation is still going on between the family of a former Minister of Finance, Chief Olu Falae, and his abductors as the latter has reduced the ransom demanded for his release from N100m to N90m.

It was learnt that the family had, however, been able to raise a sum N2m, which was reportedly rejected by the kidnappers.

A family source said the abductors called the family on Monday and said the family should raise N90m if they could not afford the N100m earlier demanded.

“At the time they called us on Monday night, they said they could only reduce the ransom to N90m, but we begged them to collect N2m, which they rejected.

“They said they would call us back today (Tuesday), but as I am talking to you. they have yet to do that,” the source said.

Punch reports that when contacted on the telephone, the Public Relations Officer of the state Police Command, Mr. Wole Ogodo, said the police were still making efforts to ensure that the victim, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, was released alive .

However, the Personal Assistant to Falae, Mr. Moshood Raji, alleged that Fulani herdsmen were behind the kidnap of his boss, noting that there had been incessant face-off between the herdsmen and the Afenifere Chieftain over their frequent invasion of Falae’s farm. He said:

 “The Fulani herdsmen always invade the farm and this has caused a lot of problem between them and baba (Falae). 

Some weeks ago, we arrested some of them and detained them at the state command headquarters. There was a time that the secretary of the Fulani community told baba to erect a fence around his big farm so that his men would not be entering it with their cattle. 

He also threatened that baba should ensure that nothing happened to his people and their cows.”