Unknown gunmen suspected to be kidnappers who abducted the Magaji Erubu of Ilorin Emirate, Dr Zubair Folorunsho Erubu on Thursday night, have demanded N60m ransom for his freedom.

Sources disclosed in Ilorin on Saturday that the kidnappers on Friday contacted the family of the captive.

Dr Erubu, a retired Permanent Secretary in the state and former physician to ex-two term governor of Kwara State, Dr Bukola Saraki, was abducted about four days ago on his way home to Ago-Oja, in Asa Local Government Area of the state when he was ambushed by unknown gunmen.

Legaldeskng gathered that the kidnappers insisted that the ransom must be paid in full before the release of the traditional title holder and have refused to negotiate, a development which is at variance with the state police command’s zero tolerance for ransom payment to kidnappers.

The victim was reported to be on his way home from Ilorin, the state capital, when he ran into an ambush laid by the unknown gunmen.

On the fateful day, he had attended to a patient who was undergoing treatment in his private hospital located at Balogun Fulani Area of Ilorin metropolis.

Spokesman of the state police command, Mr Okasanmi Ajayi, who confirmed the incident on Friday, said a search and rescue operation had been launched to rescue the victim and arrest the masterminds.

He said the state police commissioner, Tuesday Assayomo also directed discreet investigation into the matter as soon as report reached the command.