A Sri Lankan national was abducted during a brazen
kidnapping operation at the boundary of Ondo and Kogi
States. The man, identified by Sri Lankan embassy staff as
Mr. Karuna Ratna, worked for an Italian-owned construction
company and has lived in Nigeria for more than 10 years.
SaharaReporters correspondent gathered that Mr. Ratna was
on his way to a "construction deal" at the Kogi and Ondo
boundary when he was abducted.
It was learnt that the police escort attached to Mr. Ratna's
vehicle was overpowered by the kidnappers in the process,
and was immediately murdered by the assailants.
His driver, identified has Bitrus Dada, also sustained serious
injury as a result of the attack and is presently recuperating
at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo in Ondo state.
SaharaReporters correspondent gathered that the kidnappers
have been demanding a huge ransom before he could be
released, but officials could not confirm the amount.
A source working at the Sri Lanka embassy told
SaharaReporters on Wednesday that the kidnappers have
been in communication with Mr. Ratna’s family.
"The kidnappers have phoned his family and are demanding
huge sum of amount before he would freed."
An embassy official told SaharaReporters that “he is in good
physical health, but under a lot of mental stress.”
The source further disclosed that the embassy has also
reached out to the police in the two States of Ondo and Kogi
to intervene for the quick release of the victim.
"The embassy is communicating with the Police
Commissioners, and all the Police stations in the area have
been put on alert," the official said.
The Ondo State Police Spokesperson, Oluwole Ogodo
confirmed the abduction but denied that the incident happened
in Ondo State.
Ogodo said Mr. Ratna was kidnapped in Kogi State and
promised to get back to our correspondent at a later hour.
The Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre
(FMC), Owo in Ondo state, Olufemi Omotosho, hung up on
SaharaReporters when contacted.
