By John Ugo
The factional chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Benin Depot, Alhaji Abdul-Hamid Egele a.k.a Baba Petrol, has been released.
Egele spent 11 long days in captivity after he was abducted from the gate of his house in Jattu, Etsako West local government area of Edo State on February 7, 2022.
A source close to the family confirmed his release on Thursday evening.
The said Alhaji Egele was allowed go home after a ransom of N70m was paid.
Curiously, he said the ransom was paid in far away Kaduna State while he was released in an undisclosed location in Edo State.
According to the source who pleaded that his name should not be mentioned, “He was released yesterday morning after a ransom of N70 million was paid in Kaduna. As we speak, he is in an undisclosed hospital in Benin receiving treatment.”
The kidnappers were said to have six days ago demanded for N80 million before their victim would be released.
The Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, Kontongs Bello (SP) could not be reached as the calls placed to his mobile telephone line did not connect.
Also a top police officer in the Command said they were yet to be informed about the development.