Twenty-two days after his abduction in Ora, Osun State, the Vice Chairman of Ifedayo Local Government Area, Mr Debo Farounbi, has yet to regain his freedom, with family members struggling to meet ransom demands
Twenty-two days after he was abducted by gunmen in Ora, Osun State, the Vice Chairman of Ifedayo Local Government Area, Mr Debo Farounbi, has yet to regain his freedom.
Farounbi was abducted at about 10 p.m. on Tuesday, 9 June, in Ora, a boundary community along the Osun-Kwara border, by gunmen suspected to be bandits.
Three other people were also abducted during the attack.
However, sources in the community said military personnel and local vigilantes stationed in the town mounted strong resistance, forcing the attackers to abandon three of the victims while escaping with Farounbi after a fierce gun battle.
A close family source, who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to comment on the matter, said the abductors contacted Farounbi’s family a few days after the abduction and initially demanded a ransom of N200 million.
Another family source, who also requested anonymity, said the kidnappers had reduced their demand to N50 million after days of negotiations.
The Osun State Police Command was still working towards the safe rescue of the victim.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, added that the police were unaware of any ransom negotiations between the victim’s family and the abductors.
Ojelabi also disclosed that two suspects arrested in the forest shortly after the abduction had been arraigned and remanded in a correctional centre.
This Ifedayo vice chairman abduction has raised concerns about the safety of public officials and residents in border communities, with families expressing frustration over the pace of rescue efforts.
The command reaffirmed its commitment to securing the safe release of the victim and bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
