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 of the state.
The incident, said to have 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 at the designated location.
Sources familiar with the development told PUNCH Metro that Fabiyi, a driver, and another associate embarked on the mission after suspected kidnappers allegedly demanded ₦30m, five motorcycles, and three bags of rice as conditions for the victim’s release. However, this claim has not been verified by our correspondent.
According to the sources, the trio was directed to a forest area along the Kwara-Kogi boundary where the exchange was expected to take place.
“They were acting on instructions from the kidnappers. The team went with about ₦30m, five motorcycles, and three bags of rice because that was what was demanded for the victim’s release,” a source said on condition of anonymity.
However, the mission reportedly 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,” the source added.
The source further claimed that information that later emerged suggested that the victim at the centre of the negotiations had already been killed before the ransom delivery team embarked on the trip.
“What we heard afterwards was that the victim had been killed before the ransom was delivered. Unfortunately, those who went on the mission were unaware of that development,” the source said.
It was also gathered that Fabiyi reportedly sought spiritual consultation before embarking on the mission and was allegedly advised against proceeding.
Sources further disclosed that the incident was not immediately reported to security agencies, creating uncertainty about the timeline of official intervention.
When contacted on Monday, the 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.
Speaking on May 16, the OPC leader lamented the rising cases of kidnapping and violent crimes in rural communities, arguing that local groups such as the OPC possessed valuable intelligence and knowledge of forest routes that could aid security operations.
“We understand the forests, the routes, and the patterns. If properly engaged, we can provide intelligence, local surveillance, and rapid response within communities,” he had said.
Fabiyi had attributed the security challenges in the area to the weakening of traditional institutions, poor community intelligence gathering, and the failure to fully integrate local security organisations into efforts to protect rural communities.
Credit: punchng.com
