Kidnappers abduct veteran journalist’s son-in-law in Ogun, demand N500m ransom

The son-in-law of veteran journalist and former Managing Director of the defunct Monitor newspaper, Ayo Akinyemi, has been abducted in Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State.

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The victim, Oreoluwa Osunuga, a businessman operating a poultry farm, was kidnapped by armed men on Sunday afternoon while leaving his farm settlement in Ikenne to attend routine business activities.

He was said to have been driving out of the farm to purchase fuel and deliver poultry products when the gunmen intercepted him and whisked him away.

The incident was later reported to the police, prompting officers from the Ikenne Divisional Police Headquarters to visit the scene and recover a 2017 Toyota Highlander car belonging to the victim.

The situation has become more alarming after the abductors reportedly contacted Mr Osunuga’s family using his mobile phone demanding ₦500 million for his release.

The whereabouts of Mr Osunuga has remained unknown at the time of filing this report as the Ogun State Police Command is yet to issue a statement about the incident.

His abduction has heightened concerns among residents and business operators in the area, particularly those whose farms and other commercial activities are located away from major settlements.

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The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Olubode Ojajuni, confirmed the abduction to PREMIUM TIMES on Monday morning, said the police had commenced efforts to rescue the victim and that there had been progress in the operation.

“We got the report of the kidnapping case and we are currently doing our investigation and making progress to rescue the victims,” Mr Ojajuni stated.

Rising security concern in Ogun

The abduction of Mr Osunuga comes amid a series of recent kidnapping incidents, underscoring the persistent security challenge confronting residents, particularly in areas close to forests and rural settlements.

In July, suspected gunmen kidnapped a lady and a man, Kelvin Ayobami and Kehinde Rufai in the Kobape area of the Obafemi-Owode LGA of Ogun State, and subsequently demanded N50 million for their release. The victims were later freed by their abductors following the payment of ransom by family members.

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In May, the Ogun State Police Command said its Anti-Kidnapping Unit killed two suspected kidnappers, Seriki Abdullahi and Mohammed Bello, and arrested two others following the abduction of three people at Ipojo area of Iperin, Atan-Ijebu. The operation also led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, another firearm and ₦1.5 million suspected to be ransom proceeds.

Days later, police said it also naturalised suspected kidnapping kingpin during an operation in the Orile Ilugun Forest along the Abeokuta-Ibadan Expressway. The operation followed the release of a kidnapped victim who had been abducted in Odeda. Police said an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, cash and mobile phones were recovered.

In June, the police also reported rescuing a kidnapping victim after a gun battle with suspected kidnappers in Ogun. Two suspects were killed during the operation, while officers recovered N2.2 million, a firearm and other items linked to the gang, according to the command.