Kidnapping is a serious crime that instills fear and trauma in the mind of its victims. It is better imagined than experienced as many who have experienced it live in fear and face physiological and emotional trauma. In this article, DAMILOLA ISAIAH examined the rising rate of kidnapping in Ondo State and the urgent need to curb this crisis.
The recent kidnapping of Mr Adepoyigi, the APC chairman of ward 5 in Ifon, the Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State has no doubt left many in disarray. Many wondered, if an APC chieftain whose party is the current ruling party could be kidnapped right in front of his house and nothing was done to save him, who then is free?
Mr Adepoyigi on the 12th of May 2025 was abducted when parking his car at around 10pm. The assailants stormed the compound, pounced on and beat him with sticks before whisking him away. Before his wife could grasp the situation of things and cry for help, he had already been taken.
Just like many other cases, the kidnappers called and demanded for ransom. Negotiation was made and the amount of N5 million was agreed upon from an initial amount of N100 million. However, things took a sour turn when the two ranson bearer were kidnapped and more money was demanded for their release.
Fortunately, the two ransom bearers were released, but unfortunately, Adepoyigi lost his life. He was shot dead by the kidnappers, reason(s) still unknown. When confirming the death of the APC chieftain, the Ose Local Government Chairman, Clement Ojo, lamented the demise of the victim but was grateful for the release of the two ransom bearers.
He said “While we are grateful that the two volunteers have now regained their freedom, it is deeply saddening and utterly painful that the life of Mr. Nelson Adepoyigi was brutally cut short by his captors. The entire leadership and people of Ose Local Government mourn this tragic loss. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and political associates of the deceased.
“We are now at a critical juncture where security challenges have become a serious threat to the safety and freedom of our people. Only a few days before this incident, another resident narrowly escaped being kidnapped while parking his motorcycle. This pattern of brazen abductions, even at the very gates of people’s homes, confirms that insecurity has taken a dangerous and intolerable dimension”.
Meanwhile, it’s worth noting that earlier on, the state police alongside the Ondo State Security Network Agency also known as Amotekun Corps have earlier promised to secured the release of the Adepoyigi. The police command said manhunt was in place to arrest the kidnappers. “I can confirm to you that the chairman APC ward 5 was kidnapped at the entrance of his farm along Ifon-Owo road. At the receipt of the report, the DPO Ifon in collaboration with the hunters , local VGN and Nigeria Army personnel launched a manhunt for the suspect (s),” these were the words of Olayinka Ayanlade, the state Police Public Relations Officer. Unfortunately, even after the victim lost his life, no arrest was made to that effect.
Similarly, after the Adepoyigi incident, residents of Ondo State were again thrown into panic when gunmen abducted three church members in the state. It was gathered that the incident happened in Ogbese in the Akure North Local Government Area of the state. The victims were reportedly kidnapped while returning from a Bible study session held in the Kasemola area, located within the Ogbese axis of the council. The in incident had triggered widespread concern among the congregation and local residents.
News of the abduction was first shared via a message circulated on the church’s WhatsApp platform, urging members to pray for divine intervention in securing the safe release of the kidnapped individuals. “Good morning, beloved. Kindly pray along with us. Three of our members were kidnapped yesterday after Bible study at Kasemola inside the Ogbese axis. We are seeking divine intervention to secure the release of our kidnapped members. The case has been reported to the police and Amotekun Corps in the state,” the message read.
As always, the state police confirmed the incident and noted that efforts are in place to arrest the kidnappers. the PPRO noted that the police, in collaboration with local security outfits and the community, had begun combing the surrounding bush areas where the kidnappers are suspected to be hiding.
“I can confirm to you that there is an issue of kidnapping but I cannot confirm the number of the victims for now. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the culprits and bring the situation under control,” the PPRO stressed. But same as the Adepoyigi case, no arrest had been reportedly made on the issue.
These and many more cases of kidnapping which happened in the state had sent fear to the minds of Ondo State residents. If someone could be kidnapped right in front of his house, then are we safe in this state? Even if we are kidnapped, can the security agencies really rescue us? These and many more questions are being asked by residents of the state.
Though, it is worth noting that the Ondo State government has taken several measures to prevent the increased rate of insecurity. Also the police and Amotekun Corps had apprehended some of these suspects. For instance, on the 14th of May, the Amotekun Corps rescued five victims of kidnapping in two locations across the state. While rescuing the victims, the corps also foiled the payment of N150 million. Four of the victims who were kidnapped on their way from farm along Ore-Ijebu Odo -Lagos expressway, were rescued by Amotekun officers after spending days in the forest, while the remaining one victim was rescued around Ifon forest five days after he was abducted at his residence in Upemen.
Speaking, two of the victims, Mr Ayodele Olatunji, and Emmanuel Adeladun, who spoke on behalf of the remaining victims expressed appreciation to Amotekun Corps for rescuing them from untimely death, as they confirmed that the kidnappers had threatened to kill them if ransom was not paid on time.
Meanwhile, like the Amotekun Corps, the state police had also made arrests of some suspected kidnappers. However, many residents believe that these efforts are not enough. There have been calls for better intelligence gathering, improved community policing, and stricter enforcement of laws against apprehended criminals. Some of the residents believe that the state security (Amotekun) should be better equipped to combat these kidnappers.
One of the residents who simply identified himself as Akinola said “I know that the police are really trying their best in fighting these criminals, but I believe Amotekun would be able to do a better job if they are well equipped. The reason for my beliefs is that most of these kidnappers stay in the forest, and Amotekun are the ones that knows the nooks and crannies of the forest because majority of their officers are indigene. They will be able to fight these criminals and reduce the rate of kidnapping if they are well equipped.
The state commander of the Amotekun Corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, on many occasions had lamented that the corp has limited equipment for tackling insecurity in the state.
Adeleye said “We are limited by the equipment we have. Most of our tracking devices only give us an idea of where kidnappers are, and with modern technology, you can pinpoint exactly where they are if we adopt it. But the equipment is very expensive, so we believe it is what the government can do for us. Again, we still need additional support from the public in giving us timely and quality information devoid of deceit.
He also called on the Federal Government to grant them access to carry sophisticated weapons saying, “We have not stopped appealing to the Federal Government to give us access to the same equipment that the majority of these terrorists use. If criminals are illegally carrying sophisticated weapons, I don’t see why we, who are legally established, should not.”
In his opinion, a public affairs analyst, Dr Olugbenga Abimbola, expressed that the creation of the Amotekun Corps was laudable and has helped to curb the high rate of insecurity in Ondo State.
According to him, the Federal Government should used it as a template for state policing in the country. He said, “The creation of Amotekun Corps in the Southwest region of Nigeria is a welcome development especially in Ondo State and the credit goes to late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu who against all odds saw it through that the corps was created. The corps was created in response to growing insecurity across the nation and especially as it was gravitating towards the southwest. First the herders-farmers clashes, the kidnapping and abduction, and killings. All these things were there and it seems that the police and other security agencies have been overwhelmed and couldn’t cope, that was why a security outfit from the state was emplaced.
“You will recall that serious minded people have been calling for the creation of state police, so Amotekun was to fill the gap as a temporary measure. So far the corps has lived up to expectation. The corps has been combining the forest and driven out herdsmen and terrorist. Amotekun Corps are not like conventional police who will sit in the town and city, they are in the interior both in the urban and rural. This corp have been able to curb insecurity in Ondo State.
“We have seen the Laudable feast they have achieved. Amotekun have done well in Ondo state and I am of the opinion that the corps should be retain and supported by all and that the Federal Government should look at it and take it as a template for state police.”
