Victim dies as Amotekun hunts kidnappers in Ondo forest

Gunmen abducted a 33-year-old poultry farmer, Oreoluwa Osonuga, in Ogun State on Sunday afternoon, demanding a ransom of N500 million, according to a statement issued by the chairman of the Ikenne Farm Settlement on Monday. The incident unfolded near the Ikenne Farm Settlement in Ikenne, where Osonuga was reportedly shot at by armed assailants while driving out of the farm. The attackers forced him into the bush, prompting immediate responses from security personnel, including military units deployed from Ilese. Despite extensive efforts by police, anti-kidnapping units, and other security agencies, no progress has been made in locating the victim two days after the abduction. The family of Osonuga has expressed deep distress over the incident, with the victim's granduncle, Soga Osonuga, confirming the abduction and describing it as a source of emotional turmoil for the family. He noted that the family had not received any updates since the initial contact made by the kidnappers through a relative of the victim’s father. The police command in Ogun State has yet to respond to inquiries, with attempts to reach the spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, remaining unsuccessful. Meanwhile, the recent successful rescue of seven abducted students from Gateway ICT Polytechnic in Saapade by a joint security operation highlights ongoing efforts to combat abductions in the region. In Ondo State, a separate incident saw the death of one of two individuals kidnapped from a livestock farm in Parubber community. Adetunji Adeleye, commander of the state security network, known as Amotekun, revealed that the deceased victim succumbed to exhaustion during the pursuit of the abductors. The surviving victim was rescued several kilometers away from the scene, though the body of the deceased was found unconscious or dead upon arrival. Adeleye emphasized that the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of combined security efforts, noting that the kidnappers had been tracked and neutralized. Additionally, Amotekun arrested 14 suspects involved in various crimes, including kidnapping, cattle rustling, and vandalism, highlighting broader efforts to dismantle criminal networks in the state. In Kogi State, a high-profile abduction involving a bus carrying 16 passengers resulted in a dramatic rescue operation. The victims, including adults and children, were ambushed by armed assailants who demanded ransoms ranging from N100,000 to N17 million. The abductors, believed to be operating from the bush, relocated the victims multiple times to avoid detection by security forces. A video recounting the ordeal by one of the rescued victims, Victor Anyichie, detailed the tense conditions faced by the captives, including constant movement and the threat of injury. The rescue came after intelligence indicated the victims' location, leading to a coordinated effort by the Nigerian Army, Navy, Police, and local hunters. During the operation, a local hunter was killed, and a police officer sustained injuries. Meanwhile, in Enugu State, security operatives successfully rescued a Catholic seminarian and another worshipper who had been kidnapped nearly a week prior. The victims were abducted during an attack on St. Joseph Catholic Church in Inoyi, Affa, Udi Local Government Area. Three suspected kidnappers were arrested, while one was killed during a confrontation with security forces. The ransom paid to the kidnappers played a crucial role in facilitating the operation, allowing authorities to track the perpetrators. The rescued individuals identified the suspects, and weapons, including AK-47 rifles, were seized during the operation. The state secretary, Chidiebere Onyia, commended the collaborative efforts of security agencies and vowed to maintain a firm stance against criminal activity in the state. In Anambra State, the abductors of Chief Sir Joseph Ezeokafor, chairman of the Jezco Group, reportedly increased their ransom demand to N1.5 billion. The businessman, a septuagenarian, was abducted in the early hours of Tuesday while traveling to a prayer ground. Initial demands of N700 million were reportedly raised, with the family attempting to negotiate a resolution. However, communication with the kidnappers has since ceased, leaving the family in uncertainty. The circumstances surrounding the abduction remain unclear, with neither the Anambra State Police Command nor the state government issuing public statements. The incident has sparked concerns within the community, underscoring the persistent challenges posed by organized criminal activities.