Kidnappers who abducted the Secretary of Okeluju Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Ondo State, Joseph Aladesuyi, have demanded a ransom of N100 million for his release.
Aladesuyi was reportedly kidnapped on Monday while working on his farm in the Kajola area of Ilu-Abo, located in Akure North Local Government Area of the state. Two other individuals were abducted alongside him during the attack.
Family sources disclosed that the kidnappers made contact around 7 a.m. on Tuesday, issuing the ransom demand and allowing little room for negotiation.
A family member, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, described the period since the abduction as deeply distressing for relatives and associates of the council official.
“They called this morning and demanded N100 million before they would release him,” the source said.
“The conversation was very brief and tense. They did not even allow us to say much during the call.”
According to the family member, although the call confirmed that Aladesuyi was still alive, the magnitude of the ransom demand has worsened the family’s anxiety.
“We have been extremely worried since yesterday, but the call has given us a little hope. However, the amount they demanded is enormous. How can a family suddenly raise N100 million?” he lamented.
The source also revealed that the abducted council secretary sustained a gunshot injury during the attack on the farm.
“Our major concern now is his health. We were told that when the gunmen invaded the farm, he was shot in one of his hands while they were dragging him away,” the family member added.
The Ondo State Police Command has yet to issue an official reaction to the ransom demand. However, authorities had earlier confirmed that security operatives were working to rescue the victims unharmed.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Jimoh Abayomi, said the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, had directed the deployment of all available operational and intelligence resources to track down the kidnappers.
“Security operatives, alongside unconventional security outfits, are currently combing nearby forests and surrounding communities as part of ongoing efforts to locate the perpetrators and secure the release of the victims,” Abayomi said.
The kidnapping has further heightened tension in the area, especially following another attack on the same day in which three people were abducted and one person killed by suspected bandits.
Angered by the spate of insecurity, residents of Ilu-Abo and neighbouring communities staged protests, blocking the Akure-Owo Expressway to draw government attention to the situation.
Protesters also paraded the corpse of the victim killed during the attack to express their frustration over the recurring incidents.
Although calm has since returned to the communities, families affected by the abductions continue to grapple with fear and uncertainty.
In response to the growing security concerns, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Tuesday held a meeting with leaders of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), urging them to provide intelligence that could assist security agencies in tracking down those responsible for kidnappings across the state.
During the meeting, the association proposed the establishment of a vigilante group composed of herders as part of efforts to address the security challenges.
