Kidnappers have reportedly killed Mr Nelson Adepoyigi, chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ward 5 of Ose Local Government Area, Ondo State, after rejecting an initial ransom offer.
Adepoyigi was seized on Monday at the entrance to his farm along the Ifon-Owo road in Ifon.
His abductors soon demanded ₦100 million, but relatives could raise only ₦5 million.
When two family representatives took that sum to the kidnappers, they were detained as well.
The gang then raised its demand to ₦30 million for all three captives.
Local Government chairman, Mr Clement Ojo confirmed that Adepoyigi was shot dead on Friday, while the two emissaries were released.
Describing the incident as “sad and painful,” Ojo 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.”
He praised the late party official as “a man dedicated to the progress of the party,” adding that Adepoyigi would be “forever remembered and honoured” at the grassroots.
Lamenting rising insecurity in Ose, Ojo noted, “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.”
Attempts to reach state police spokesperson Mr Olayinka Ayanlade were unsuccessful, as his phone line was unreachable at press time.
