The family of Mr. Gbenga Owolabi, the hotelier killed by kidnappers last week, has stated that the rumour of arrest of one of the family members was an attempt to divert public attention away from the truth of the matter.
The family stated this in response to rumours that one of their members, Femi Owolabi, had been arrested.
On Thursday, July 28, the hotelier and one of his employees were kidnapped in the Abaa area of Ogbomoso town. They were later killed after the kidnappers were paid a ransom.
The arrest of a man named Femi Owolabi, who is said to be the hotelier’s immediate younger brother, went viral on social media on Sunday.
The family has, however, said that such rumour was an attempt to divert the attention of the public, stating that they do not have anyone bearing such a name.
Elder brother of the deceased, Mr Ayo Owolabi, who spoke on behalf of the family, Sunday evening, insisted that they had no sibling bearing Femi Owolabi.
He added that no family member was arrested in connection with the kidnap and murder of his brother, Gbenga.
“You can tell that to the marines,” he said.
Another close relative of the family, who asked not to be named, added that the story was planted to divert attention.
He said, “I believe the story of the arrest was planted to divert attention from the real culprits”.