The Ward 5 Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ose Local Council Area of Ondo State, Nelson Adepoyigi, who was kidnapped a few days ago, has been killed by his abductors.
Adepoyigi, who was shot by the kidnappers over the weekend, had been abducted last Monday at the gate of his residence while returning home.
Following his abduction, the kidnappers initially demanded a ₦100 million ransom, but after several rounds of negotiation and pleas, the amount was reduced to ₦5 million.
Tragically, Adepoyigi was killed after two community members, Bayode Loco and Isimeri, who volunteered to deliver the ₦5 million ransom, were also captured by the kidnappers. The abductors then demanded an additional ₦30 million for the release of all three.
While the two volunteers were eventually released, sources within the community revealed that the kidnappers had allegedly marked Adepoyigi for death, indicating that his execution was premeditated by those behind the abduction.
When contacted, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Wilfred Afolabi, stated that operatives from the command had been deployed to the community to investigate the incident.
Confirming the development, Chairman of Ose Local Government, Kolapo Ojo, decried the rising security challenges in the area, describing the situation as critical.
“The safety and well-being of our constituents are non-negotiable. We must not fold our arms while law-abiding citizens continue to live in fear and fall prey to kidnappers. Every life lost is a blow to the peace, growth, and stability of our communities,” he said.
“This pattern of brazen abductions, even at the very gates of people’s homes, confirms that insecurity has taken a dangerous and intolerable dimension.
“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 also declared a three-day mourning period across the local government area, describing the late Adepoyigi as a dedicated party leader, passionate community builder, and patriotic son of Ose whose untimely death is both a personal and collective tragedy.
“The safety and well-being of our constituents are non-negotiable. We must not fold our arms while law-abiding citizens continue to live in fear and fall prey to kidnappers. Every life lost is a blow to the peace, growth, and stability of our communities,” he said.
“This pattern of brazen abductions, even at the very gates of people’s homes, confirms that insecurity has taken a dangerous and intolerable dimension.
“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 also declared a three-day mourning period across the local government area, describing the late Adepoyigi as a dedicated party leader, passionate community builder, and patriotic son of Ose whose untimely death is both a personal and collective tragedy.
According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Seun Ogunniyi, all flags across local government premises will be flown at half-mast from Monday to Wednesday as a mark of collective sorrow.
“All government-related public activities will be held in a solemn tone in honour of the departed. In addition, all official activities of the Chairman are hereby suspended for the duration of the mourning period,” the statement read.
