Gunmen who abducted five corps members in Ifon axis of Ondo State have threatened to kill them if the affected families fail to raise the N15 million ransom demanded. The gunmen made the threat after contacting one of the victims’ families at the weekend.

The victims were kidnapped along the Ifon-Owo highway in the Ose Local Council Area of the state on their way from Enugu State, where they had undergone the mandatory orientation camp of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

According to brother of one of the victims, Lawal Happiness, who cried out over the development, the kidnappers, who had reduced the ransom to N1 million from N30 million per victim, suddenly demanded that a N3 million ransom be paid for each of them.

He said: “My name is Lawal Happiness, a brother to the corps member kidnapped on her way back from Enugu Camp to Akure, whose name is Adewole Paul Oluwaseun, an indigene of Akure and a graduate of the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE). She was kidnapped alongside four other corps members, Oluwadara Feranmi (f), Andrew Patience (f), Oribamise Taiwo (f), and Ajayi Lekan (m),

“After they were done with their NYSC orientation, they reported to their PPA then come home to get her stuff for resumption. They embarked on this journey on July 18 and left Enugu at 9:00a.m. We monitored her movement till they got to Ifon by 10:15p.m. After that, we couldn’t reach them.”

“On July 19, at 7:45a.m., we got a call telling us she had been kidnapped and asking for a ransom of N30 million per head. We have reported to different security agencies, but without any positive results.

“As of 7:00 p.m. on July 19, they reduced it to N3 million per head, and we have been pleading for help. At 3:00 p.m. on July 20, 2024, the kidnapper agreed to N1 million per head, but as of 1 p.m. on July 21, 2024, they said N3 million again. If we don’t provide that before 9 p.m. on July 21, 2024, they will call us to inform us where we will see their corpse.”

Meanwhile, a group based in the state, Ondo State Youth Network (OSYN), which expressed concern about the security situation in the state, appealed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to prioritise the security situation, particularly in the Ose axis.

According to the OSYN Coordinator, Ezekiel Afe, “We demand immediate action from the state and federal governments to address this crisis. The deployment of a joint task force comprising the Nigerian Police Force’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Amotekun Corps, and the Nigerian Army is essential. Additionally, investing in technological solutions such as surveillance drones will provide a modern approach to combating these crimes.”

“We urge Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa and his administration to prioritise the safety and security of Ondo State. The lack of government intervention has left communities like Ifon vulnerable and desperate. The implementation of a special security committee dedicated to resolving this issue is crucial. The government must ensure the immediate release of all kidnapped individuals and take decisive steps to prevent future incidents.

The OSYN Public Relations Officer, Christopher Olusa, who issued the statement, maintained that “failure to meet these demands will compel OSYN to mobilise our members and collaborate with other youth organisations for a sustained protest until the government takes the necessary action. We cannot stand by while our people suffer.”

Meanwhile, efforts to contact the police spokesperson in the state, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, over the situation was unsuccessful as calls made to her phone were not returned. (The Guardian)

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