Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has met with security chiefs in the state over the kidnap of the Permanent Secretary of the state Hospital Management Board (HMB) Dr. Niran Ikuomola.
TheNewsGuru.com reports that Dr. Ikuomola and his driver were abducted by unknown gunmen along the Lokoja/Abuja expressway on Sunday evening.
The Secretary of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Dr. Roland Arohunmolase, who broke the news to Journalists in Akure, the state capital disclosed that the abductors have contacted the doctor’s family, demanding N70million ransome.
Addressing reporters after the state security council meeting, Akeredolu said the meeting was to deliberate on steps being taken to get the kidnapped Permanent Secretary released from his abductors.
The governor said the government was deeply concerned about the development and assured that efforts were being coordinated at ensuring early reunion of Dr Ikuomola with his family members.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mrs Hilda Harrison-Ibifuro reiterated efforts of all securities agencies in the state at ensuring early release of the two kidnapped victims.
The meeting which had Heads of Army, Navy, Customs, Prisons, Prisons ,Immigration,Road Safety Corps and Police in attendance also agreed that the Permanent Secretary kidnap was a security threat and that Ondo State would never be made comfortable for criminals.
While promising adequate security for lives and property in the state, Mrs Harrison-Ibifuro said that the Ondo State Government has directed regular clearance of bushes across the three major roads linking the state with other neighbouring states.
Mrs Hilda Harrison-Ibifuro listed the affected roads to include Ilesha-Akure; Isę-Isua to Kogi and Ore to Ogun States.
The Commissioner called on traditional rulers, caretaker chairmen and other citizens to heed the directive, insisting that clearing of the bushes would prevent criminals and hoodlums who usually use the road verges for their nefarious activities.