Ondo APC Chairman’s Abductors Capture Ransom Bearers, Make Fresh Demand
Gunmen who kidnapped the Ward 5 Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nelson Adepoyigi, have seized two persons who had volunteered to deliver the N5 million ransom to release the party chieftain.
Following the development, the kidnappers are now demanding N30 million to release Adepoyigi and the two bearers of the ransom, Bayode Loco and Isimeri.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that the APC ward chairman was abducted around 10 p.m. on Monday outside his residence in Ifon, where the gunmen assaulted him before forcibly taking him away.
After initially demanding N100 million, the kidnappers had lowered the ransom to N5 million and food items after negotiations, according to sources.
However, upon receiving the N5 million, they reneged, demanding N30 million for the trio’s safe return with the development intensifying fears among Adepoyigi’s family and political allies, who had hoped for the return of the APC chieftain.
One of the sources, who craved anonymity told DailyPost that “those who took the ransom to them, as agreed during negotiations, were held by the same kidnappers.
“They have now turned around to demand a fresh N30 million before they can release all three of them.”
While confirming the incident, the Chairman of Ose Local Council Area of the state, Kolapo Oja, revealed that during an earlier negotiation with the kidnappers, the N100 million ransom had been reduced to N5 million as well as food items.
Oja, who expressed concern over the turn of events appealed for calm while security operatives in the state intensify efforts to rescue the victims unhurt.
Meanwhile, the Police in Ondo State have denied knowledge of ransom negotiations between the abductors of the All Progressives Congress(APC) chieftain and his family members.
DSP Olushola Ayanlade, the police spokesperson in the state, while responding to the ransom negotiations on Thursday, said it was without the knowledge of the police.
Ayanlade also said the police were not aware of the alleged seizure of two persons who volunteered to deliver a N5 million ransom for the release of the party chieftain.
“I don’t have any update about who was kidnapped again when they wanted to pay ransom.
“And I don’t know if there’s any attempt of ransom negotiation. All I know is that our men have been combing bushes and doing all they can to rescue the victim.
“So, I did not know anything about ransom negotiations,” he 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.
