Osun LG Vice Chairman’s Abductors Demand Fresh N30m Ransom
The abductors of the Vice Chairman of Ifedayo Local Government Area of Osun State, Debo Farounbi, have demanded an additional N30m ransom, 59 days after he was kidnapped.
Saturday PUNCH gathered that the kidnappers had received an initial N30m ransom about four weeks ago at an undisclosed location, but failed to release the council official.
Credible sources among council workers and residents of the community told our correspondent on Friday that the abductors had instead made a fresh demand for another N30m ransom, in addition to a vehicle.
A local government staff member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the kidnappers had initially demanded N30m and diabetic drugs, believed to be for Farounbi.
“The kidnappers had earlier demanded a sum of N30m and diabetic drugs (maybe for the vice-chairman).
“The money and the drugs were delivered four weeks ago, but instead of releasing the vice-chairman, the abductors demanded another N30m. I am aware the ALGON is on top of the matter,” the worker said.
The Acting Coordinator of Ora-Igbomina Youth Front, Omololu Abidoye, also confirmed the fresh ransom demand, saying efforts by the community to raise additional funds for Farounbi’s release had yet to yield results.
“The community initially raised N30m ransom, and it was delivered to the abductors. However, they are still demanding additional money before they will release him,” Abidoye said.
However, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, said he was not aware of the fresh ransom demand.
He disclosed that two suspects arrested in connection with the abduction had been charged to court and remanded in custody.
Farounbi was abducted by gunmen in Ora-Igbomina on June 9, 2026.
The gunmen reportedly abducted four residents, including two Fulani women, another resident and Farounbi. However, soldiers stationed in the community resisted the attackers and pursued them, forcing the gunmen to abandon three of the victims while taking away the council official.
Farounbi’s abduction is reportedly the third kidnapping incident recorded in Ora-Igbomina within the last eight months.
In December 2025, a retired Customs officer, Emmanuel Owolabi, was abducted by suspected bandits in the community.
Owolabi reportedly spent almost four weeks in captivity before he was released in a community in Kwara State after an undisclosed ransom was paid.
On February 1, 2026, gunmen again invaded Ora-Igbomina through the Kwara State boundary and abducted two residents.
The victims were subsequently released after spending about four weeks in captivity.
Source: Punch