Kidnappers free senator Ayo Arise 

Senator Ayo Arise who was on Sunday kidnapped by gunmen has regained his freedom. Sources said Arise himself told some people in the state that he had been freed. Details of how he was released were still sketchy as of press time. It could also not be ascertained where he was released and if any ransom was paid. Efforts to reach him on the telephone were unsuccessful while no family was available for comments. By Thursday, it was gathered that the kidnappers had reduced their ransom from N80m to N50m. However, the President of Oye Progressives Union which is the umbrella association of the indigenes of Oye, Mr. Akin Omole, confirmed the release of the All Progressives Congress chieftain. “Yes, I’ve heard from him and he told us that he has regained his freedom. We are immensely grateful to God Almighty and to everyone who acted one way or the other for his release,” he said in a telephone chat with newsmen.  Omole added, “Oye Ekiti is highly grateful and we are saying thank you. OPU on behalf of the Oye Ekiti community is grateful to everyone who contributed in several ways towards ensuring that our illustrious son is freed without being harmed.” Arise was kidnapped on Sunday along Okene-Abuja highway while travelling back to Abuja from his country-home in Oye-Ekiti