Fear has engulfed residents of Osi community in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State following the abduction of a farm estate owner, Olanrewaju Oyeleye, and his manager by unknown gunmen.
Sources revealed that the assailants stormed the farm over the weekend and took the two victims away. The farm, located a few kilometers from Akure airport, has now become the latest target in the growing wave of insecurity in the region.
A family member, who preferred to remain anonymous, disclosed that the kidnappers had contacted them, demanding a ransom of N100 million for the release of Oyeleye and his manager.
The Akure airport axis has increasingly become a hotspot for criminal activities, particularly kidnappings, as criminals exploit the vulnerability of communities in the area.
Oyeleye, 50, had relocated from overseas four years ago to establish a mechanized farming venture in Akure, making his abduction a shocking development for many in the community.
Confirming the incident, the Commander of the Amotekun Corps in Ondo State, Adetunji Adeleye, assured that security operatives had been deployed to track down the kidnappers and rescue the victims. “Our men are working tirelessly to locate and secure the release of the abductees,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the latest abduction has intensified fear among residents of Akure North, particularly in Oba-Ile, Osi, and Eleyewo communities, where cases of kidnapping have been on the rise. Following the news of the attack, many farmers abandoned their fields and rushed home, further highlighting the growing insecurity in the area.
