Kidnappers kill APC chairman in Ondo State despite ransom fee being paid for his release

KIDNAPPERS have brutally murdered the ward chairman of an All Progressive Congress (APC) chapter in Ondo State who was abducted several days ago despite his family meeting their ransom demands.

On Monday, Nelson Adepoyigi, the Ward Five chairman in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, was kidnapped by a group of armed men. He was abducted while parking his vehicle at his residence in Ifon and the kidnappers subsequently demanded a N100m ($62,620) ransom but after a series of negotiations and pleas, it was reduced to N5m ($3,131).

Two persons from his community in Ifon volunteered to deliver the N5m but they were also captured by the kidnappers, who insisted that an additional N30m be paid before the release of the trio. Later on, the two volunteers were released by the kidnappers but sources within the community said that the APC chairman had been killed.

Kolapo Ojo, the chairman of Ose Local Government Area, said: “This pattern of brazen abductions, even at the very gates of people’s homes, confirms that insecurity has taken a dangerous and intolerable dimension. We urge our people to remain vigilant, promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest security post and stand united as we work together to overcome this threat."