Abducted Osun Ex-Customs Officer Remains In Kidnappers’ Den, As Abductors Demand N200m Ransom
A retired Customs officer, Emmanuel Owolabi, who was abducted by unknown gunmen near his home in Ora is yet to regain his freedom due to his family’s inability to meet the N200 million ransom demanded by his captors.
It would be recalled that the gunmen on Monday, December 15, attacked Ora, a community along the Osun/Kwara State boundary, and abducted Owolabi.
The gunmen also shot dead a village chief, identified only as Dennis, who was returning from his farm.
Two days after the abduction, the kidnappers reportedly demanded N200 million for Owolabi’s release.
A source close to the family, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “They used Owolabi’s phone number to call us. We are so scared but we are hopeful that he will come out alive.”
Despite continued negotiations, Owolabi remains in the hands of the abductors, although he has been allowed to speak with some family members.
The source added: “We are still negotiating with them. They are insisting on N200m ransom, but we can’t afford it. We are begging them. They are reaching out to us.
“He is alive. He was allowed to speak with some members of the family. We offered an amount, but they considered it too small. We are hopeful he will be released soon. He is still with the abductors.”
The Police/Public Relations Officer for Osun Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, said operatives are continuing search and rescue efforts but lamented the lack of cooperation from the family.
“It is very unfortunate because the family did not inform us when the kidnappers called. We only heard about it from an outsider. They didn’t give us the details we needed. They are not coming forward with information that can be of great help.
“Although we are working with the little we have, the anti-kidnapping squad has been on top of the situation,” Ojelabi said
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
