ILORIN — The Kwara State Coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress, Bayo Fabiyi, and two others have been abducted while allegedly attempting to deliver ransom for the release of a kidnap victim in Oko-Irese, Irepodun Local Government Area.
The incident, which occurred on Sunday, has sparked concern in the community amid reports that the victim, whose release was being negotiated, may have been killed before the ransom team arrived.
Sources told PUNCH Metro that Fabiyi, a driver, and another associate embarked on the mission after suspected kidnappers allegedly demanded N30 million, five motorcycles, and three bags of rice as conditions for the victim’s release.
The trio was directed to a forest area along the Kwara-Kogi boundary where the exchange was expected to take place. However, the mission took a tragic turn when the ransom bearers were allegedly ambushed and abducted upon arrival.
“Instead of releasing the victim, the kidnappers seized those who came to deliver the ransom. Since then, nobody has heard from them,” a source said.
Kwara State Commissioner of Police Adekimi Ojo said the command had yet to receive any formal report regarding the alleged abduction.
“I am not aware of the incident because it has not been reported to the police. Once a report is made, we will investigate and take appropriate action,” Ojo said.
Fabiyi’s abduction comes barely five weeks after he raised concerns over worsening insecurity in Kwara South and called for greater collaboration between security agencies and local security groups.