Eight persons kidnapped in Itapaji, Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State, on Sunday, have all regained freedom.

A source close to one of the victims told journalists in Ado Ekiti, on Friday, that the captors collected a sum of N2.5 million, a pack of cigarettes and one pack of milk to let the victims off the hook.

According to information gathered, the gunmen, had besieged a house located in the town around 9.30 pm on that day, shot sporadically into the air, and made away with eight occupants of the building.

The gunshots that lasted for over one hour were said to have terrified the residents of the community.

In a telephone chat with newsmen, the source said the captives were freed around 10 pm on Thursday and they have immediately reunited with their families.

“They have been released on Thursday evening. The kidnappers collected a sum of N2.5m, a pack of cigarettes and one pack of milk before they were allowed to regain their freedom”, the source revealed.

The source regretted that the abduction had disrupted the burial being planned by the owner of the building, where the abduction took place, as the victims have decided to shelve the idea of throwing a lavish party.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti Command, ASP Sunday Abutu, confirmed the release of the abductees.

Abutu said: “The eight persons kidnapped at Itapaji in Ikole-Ekiti have all regained their freedom after the concerted efforts of the police, the military, the NSCDC, and the Amotekun Corps as well as the families of the victims.

“They have all been debriefed and reunited with their family members”.

Abutu said investigations are still ongoing into the arrest of four suspects in connection with the abduction, saying they will be charged to court soon.