Gunmen allegedly struck again at Ijan Ekiti in Gbonyin Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Christmas Day and abducted two men.

This came about 48 hours after a chief in the community, Emmanuel Obafemi, was abducted from his farm to an unknown destination by armed men suspected to be kidnappers.

Sources on Sunday identified the victims of the Christmas Day abduction a cocoa merchant and a commercial motorcyclist.

They were said to be on a motorcycle when they were ambushed by the gunmen at about 5.30pm.

One of the sources said the abductors were yet to contact the relatives of the two victims for ransom as of Sunday evening.

This was as family sources said on Sunday that the abductors of the traditional chief had contacted the family and demanded N20million ransom.

A family source said, “They (kidnappers) have called to ask for the huge amount of money before they can set our brother free. The amount is so exorbitant, and we don’t know how to source the fund. It is a sad Christmas for us”.

The Ekiti Amotekun Corps Commander, Brig. Gen. Joe Komolafe (retd.), who confirmed the abduction of the two men, said his operatives were combing the adjoining forest in order to rescue the victims.

“We heard about the latest incident on Christmas Day and I can tell you that we have begun operation to rescue the victims and arrest the perpetrators,” Komolafe said.

He said security agencies were not aware of demand for ransom for the kidnapped chief and advised residents of the community to volunteer timely and useful information that could help to secure the release of the victims.

Although state Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, could not be reached on Sunday, he had on Friday said security agencies were on the trail of the kidnappers of the traditional chief.

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