Dayo Ojo of Enyimba FC and Iluyomade Benjamin of Abia Comets FC, who were abducted on Sunday evening, have regained their freedom.
The players were abducted at Ipele town on Benin-Akure Expressway in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo.
Tweeting late Wednesday, Enyimba FC announced that Ojo had been released.
“GREAT BIG NEWS! Our midfielder man, Dayo Ojo, has regained freedom from his kidnappers,” the club said.
Sources close to the families of the players had said the kidnappers demanded N100 million on first contact.
It was later reduced to N20 million according to the sources.
It was unclear if any ransom was paid for the release of the footballers.
“Enyimba midfielder Ekundayo Ojo and Abia Comets’ Benjamin Iluyomade, who were kidnapped on Sunday have regained their freedom,” Enyimba said in a statement Wednesday night.
“The footballers were released on Wednesday night following combined efforts of Enyimba Football Club and families of the players.
“It would be recalled that the footballers were kidnapped along the Benin-Owo expressway as they journeyed to Akure following the suspension of the Nigeria Professional Football League amid concerns over the global pandemic, Covid-19.
“The players have since reunited with their families.”
