A former Secretary to Government of the Federation, Olu Falae, on Monday confessed that his family paid ransom to his abductors before he was freed on Thursday.
He said the kidnappers only freed him after they received payment, adding that he trekked for 15 kilometres before he was picked up by the police in Owo, several kilometres from Akure, the Ondo State capital.
The former minister’s disclosure has put a lie to the claim by the Nigeria police that no ransom was paid before his release.
IGP Arase’s words on Falae’s release:
In an interview after he accompanied Falae home, IGP Arase said: “The important thing now is that Baba Falae is back home safe and sound according to the mandate given to me by the President. He said that no ransom was paid and that nobody has been arrested. Asked about where the victim was rescued, the IGP said it was a security matter and not meant for public consumption.