Mr. Nelson Adepoyigi, the Ward 5 Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, who was recently abducted, has reportedly died while in the custody of his captors.
According to reports, Adepoyigi was seized by armed assailants on Monday at the entrance of his farm located along the Ifon-Owo Road in Ifon, the administrative center of Ose LGA.
The kidnappers allegedly contacted his family shortly after the abduction, demanding a ransom of N100 million. The family, however, was only able to raise N5 million. The situation escalated when the kidnappers held onto the two individuals who delivered the ransom, expressing dissatisfaction with the amount.
Subsequently, the abductors demanded an additional N30 million for the release of all three individuals. However, in a tragic turn of events, the kidnappers reportedly killed Adepoyigi and released the two others on Friday.
Ose Local Government Chairman, Mr. Clement Ojo, confirmed the death in a statement released on Sunday. He described the incident as both heartbreaking and painful.
“While we are thankful that the two men who went to deliver the ransom have regained their freedom, it is with deep sorrow that we acknowledge the untimely and brutal killing of Mr. Nelson Adepoyigi,” Ojo stated.
He went on to commend the late APC official for his commitment to the party and to grassroots development, noting that his legacy would be honored and remembered by the community.
Expressing concern over the growing insecurity in the area, Ojo highlighted the urgent need for action. “This tragedy underscores the worsening security situation in our local government. Just days before this, another resident narrowly escaped being kidnapped while parking his motorcycle. These incidents reflect a troubling rise in abductions, even at people’s doorsteps,” he said.
Efforts to contact the spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, Mr. Olayinka Ayanlade, were unsuccessful at the time of this report, as his phone remained unreachable.
