THE kidnapping of the Ward 5 Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ose Local Council Area of Ondo State, Nelson Adepoyigi, has taken a dark turn following the seizure of two individuals delivering a ransom for his release.
Following the fresh twist of events, the abductors now demand an additional N30 million to release Adepoyigi and the two bearers of the ransom, Bayode Loco and Isimeri, of the N5 million ransom earlier negotiated with the kidnappers.
Adepoyigi was abducted around 10:00 pm on Monday outside his residence in Ifon, where the gunmen assaulted him before forcibly taking him away.
With the development plunging the victim’s family and political circles into another round of turmoil and panic, sources within the community disclosed that everyone is now confused over the situation.
After initially demanding N100 million, the kidnappers had lowered the ransom to N5 million and food items after negotiations.
However, upon receiving the N5 million, they reneged, demanding N30 million for the trio’s safe return, with the development intensifying fears among Adepoyigi’s family and political allies, who had hoped for the return of the APC chieftain.
One of the sources, who craved anonymity, stated that “those who took the ransom to them, as agreed during negotiations, were held by the same kidnappers.
“They have now turned around to demand a fresh N30 million before they can release all three of them.”
While confirming the incident, the Chairman of Ose Local Council Area of the state, Kolapo Oja, revealed that during an earlier negotiation with the kidnappers, the N100 million ransom had been reduced to N5 million as well as food items.
Oja, who expressed concern over the turn of events, appealed for calm while security operatives in the state intensify efforts to rescue the victims unharmed.
