AKURE — Six gunmen who kidnapped the 80-year-old mother of the immediate past Education Commissioner in Ondo State, Madam Olufunke Olatubora, Tuesday, opened negotiation with the Commissioner, Mr Remi Olatubora, demanding a N50 million ransom before his mother would be set free.

Madam Olufunke was abducted on Sunday at about 1 a.m at her Iyansan country home in the riverside community of Irele local government council of the state.

Family source hinted Vanguard that the kidnappers started negotiating with the family yesterday.

According to the source, “the kidnappers had started discussing with the family. The amount they are demanding is too much. There is no way we can raise such a huge sum. We are after the well-being of our mother. They should be humane enough to free her”

Olatubora, however, expressed confidence that his mother would regain freedom soon.

He did not say whether he had established contact with the kidnappers or whether they have made any demand.

He said: “We are believing in God that they will release her soon.”

Eye witnesses said that the hoodlums, numbering about six arrived the woman’s residence with a speed boat and went straight to her room while she was still fast asleep with a younger wife to her husband.

The kidnappers reportedly picked her without much hassle while other inhabitants in the house were not molested

Vanguard learnt that they fled with their victim through the high sea with a speed boat.

Police Image Maker Wole Ogodo said that the Police authorities in the state have deployed detectives to the area to ensure the release of the mother of the former Commissioner.

He added that the police in the state would fight the criminals to a stand still.

The Police spokesman appealed to the people of the state to be vigilant and report to the police promptly.

Ogodo promised tough times for criminals out to disrupt the peace in the state.

Calls made to the former Commissioner were not picked but his aides said that the kidnappers have not contacted him.