‎Kidnappers Demand N100m After Abducting 2 Ondo Farmers

Kidnappers have demanded a ransom of N100 million following the abduction of two farmers in Parubber community, Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

‎The victims were reportedly seized by suspected gunmen while working on their farms along the Ondo-Ife Road before being marched into a nearby forest.

‎A farmer who escaped the attack, Yemi Omowale, said the incident occurred in the afternoon while they were tending to their farms and livestock.

‎According to Omowale, one of the attackers, armed with an AK-47 rifle and wearing a mask, approached one of the victims before other members of the gang emerged and whisked both farmers into the forest.

‎He said the incident was immediately reported to the police and the Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun.

‎Omowale further disclosed that the kidnappers later contacted the wife of one of the victims and demanded N100 million for their release, adding that they had continued to mount pressure on the family to raise the ransom.

‎He appealed to security agencies and the Ondo State Government to intensify efforts to rescue the victims safely and curb the growing spate of kidnappings in the area.

‎“The abductors have contacted the families of the victims and are demanding a ransom of N100 million for their release. We are appealing to the security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the farmers unhurt and bring the perpetrators to justice,” he said.

‎Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, Abayomi Jimoh, said the report was received at the Oke-Igbo Divisional Police Headquarters.

‎Jimoh said a joint security team comprising police operatives, the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, Amotekun personnel, local hunters and vigilantes had launched a coordinated search-and-rescue operation.

‎He said intelligence-led efforts were ongoing to ensure the victims were rescued unhurt and those behind the abduction apprehended.

‎The police spokesman urged residents to remain calm and provide credible information that could assist security agencies in rescuing the victims and bringing the kidnappers to justice.