Nelson Adepoyigi, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ward 5, Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, who was abducted earlier in the week, has reportedly been killed by his captors.
Adepoyigi was kidnapped by armed men on Monday at the entrance of his farm along the Ifon-Owo Road in Ifon, the headquarters of the local government.
The assailants later contacted his family, demanding ₦100 million in ransom.
The family, however, was only able to raise ₦5 million.
Upon receiving the amount, the kidnappers, displeased with the sum, reportedly detained the two men who delivered the money. They subsequently demanded an additional ₦30 million to release all three captives.
Tragically, the abductors were said to have shot Mr. Adepoyigi dead and released the two other men on Friday.
Confirming the development in a statement seen on Sunday, the Chairman of Ose Local Government, Mr. Clement Ojo, described the incident as devastating.
“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,” Ojo said.
“The entire leadership and people of Ose Local Government mourn this tragic loss.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and political associates of the deceased.”
Mr. Ojo also paid tribute to the late APC chieftain’s dedication to party progress and his contributions to grassroots development:
“The deceased was a man dedicated to the progress of the party, and the grassroots community will be forever remembered and honoured.”
Decrying the growing insecurity in the area, the council chairman expressed alarm over the worsening situation:
“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.”
All efforts to contact the Public Relations Officer of the Ondo State Police Command, Mr. Olayinka Ayanlade, were unsuccessful as his mobile line was unreachable at the time of filing this report.