Exactly six days after she was abducted from her home in Ilorin,
Kwara State, mother of the National Chairman of Labour Party (LP), Mrs.
Elizabeth Omotosho, has regained her freedom.
According to family sources, Elizabeth, 71, was released on
Friday. The sources claimed that no ransom was paid before her abductors
allowed her to go.
The abductors had earlier demanded a ransom of N100 million,
but on Friday, the police revealed that it had cordoned a location
believed to be the hideout of the abductors and mounted pressure on them to
release the captive.
A statement released by Mike Omotosho, the Labour Party
leader, confirmed the release of his mother.
Mike said: "On behalf of the entire Omotosho clan, I thank
everyone, who in one way or another, stood by us during the almost 120-hour
ordeal. We also appreciate the Nigerian security forces and the media for the
effective and timely aid. My mom is well, and was not harmed in any way. The
entire episode, however, reiterates my personal belief in an inclusive society
where all our minds are focused on the same vision of greatness.”
Mike further said: "It is indeed not time to cast
aspersions or play the blame game, for where we have found ourselves as a
nation. Our current national reality is totally antithetical to what we had
back in the days when each of us was our brothers’ keeper regardless of
religious, political affiliations or ethnicity.
"It is time for us to be collectively accountable for the
security, peace and progress of Nigeria. It is time to sheathe our swords of
personal interest, greed and ethnicity, with the understanding that in
war, no one comes out unscathed. This has renewed our vigor in this
battle to continue to play our part. We, therefore, seek your commitment
to join hands with us to bring back the Nigeria where peace and justice truly
reigns.”
The Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP
Ajayi Okasanmi, said the state’s commissioner of police, Mr. Lawan Ado, would
formally brief members of the public on the rescue of Elizabeth today.
No comments:
Post a Comment