The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ward 5, Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, Mr. Nelson Adepoyigi, who was kidnapped earlier this week, has reportedly been killed by his abductors.
Adepoyigi was abducted on Monday at the entrance of his farm along the Ifon-Owo road in Ifon, the headquarters of the local government area.
Armed men reportedly seized him as he arrived at his residence.
The kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of N100 million from his family, but when the family managed to raise only N5 million, the situation took a darker turn.
Recall that the bandits, dissatisfied with the reduced amount, detained the two men who delivered the money.
The abductors later reached out to the family again, this time demanding an additional N30 million to secure the release of all three captives.
However, it was learned that the kidnappers killed Adepoyigi and released the two other hostages on Friday.
Confirming the tragic development, the Chairman of Ose Local Government, Mr. Clement Ojo, described the incident as deeply painful and a significant loss to the community.
“While we are grateful that the two volunteers have now regained their freedom, it is deeply saddening and utterly painful that the life of Mr. Nelson Adepoyigi was brutally cut short by his captors,” Ojo said in a statement on Sunday.
“The entire leadership and people of Ose Local Government mourn this tragic loss. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and political associates of the deceased.”
Ojo described Adepoyigi as a dedicated party leader who made significant contributions to the grassroots community and vowed that his efforts would be remembered and honored.
Decrying the worsening security situation in the area, Ojo added, “We are now at a critical juncture where security challenges have become a serious threat to the safety and freedom of our people.
“Only a few days before this incident, another resident narrowly escaped being kidnapped while parking his motorcycle. This pattern of brazen abductions, even at the very gates of people’s homes, confirms that insecurity has taken a dangerous and intolerable dimension.”
