Abducted retired Customs officer, Emmanuel Owolabi, kidnapped by suspected bandits in Ora, Osun State, has regained freedom, after payment of an undisclosed amount in ransom.
Ex-Nigeria Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr. Yemi Farounbi, who is the Asiwaju of Ora-Igbomina, announced Owolabi’s release in a statement obtained in Osogbo on Tuesday.
A very reliable source involved in the efforts to facilitate Owolabi’s release said his abductors released him in Oro Ago, a community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, late on Monday.
“He was freed by his abductors late on Monday. We got him in the forest around Oro Ago, a community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. We paid for his release. We paid millions to get him out,” the source said.
The PUNCH reported that on Monday, December 15, some gun-wielding men attacked Ora, a community on the Osun/Kwara State boundary, and abducted Owolabi.
Wife of the victim, Titilayo, who spoke with The PUNCH after the incident, said her husband was abducted in front of his house located along Akisa Road, some minutes to 7 pm.
Narrating further what happened during an interview with our correspondent, Titilayo said her husband had visited her shop shortly after the close of the day’s business.
She added that while Owolabi headed for another location in town, while ahe went home to prepare dinner.
Titilayo said that after she had finished cooking, she was expecting her husband, but suddenly heard gunshots at the entrance to their residence.
“When I closed this evening at my shop around 6:30 pm, my husband came around and asked me to go home. When I got home, I cooked, and I was about to serve my children their food when I heard a gunshot. I thought those firing the shots were the hunters that came around, but the gunshots were sporadic. I later heard my husband’s voice outside our fence,” Titilayo said.
She added, “I didn’t know he was being held by the bandits. I went out to check what was happening. One of the gunmen jumped over the fence into our compound. Those I saw are young boys. I knelt down and spoke Hausa language to him because they were speaking Hausa. Instead of him to respond, he started beating me.
“He asked me for money. When all that was going on, they were firing shots. The next thing I heard was the sound of a motorcycle conveying my husband heading towards the bush. The two gunmen in our compound jumped over the fence into the bush and fled. My husband is a retired Customs officer. People should help us bring him back home safely.”
While making their way out of the community, the gunmen also shot dead a village chief, identified simply as Dennis, who was coming from the farm.
48 hours after he was abducted, the perpetrators reportedly demanded a sum of N200m ransom to free him, but a sum of N20m was offered, which the abductors rejected.
Farounbi, who, on behalf of the community, also commended Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, and “the government for their support and assistance during the period that Owolabi was in captivity, expressed the belief that the government would continue to strengthen security and expand presence, particularly in boundary communities in the state.
“Commendation was extended to the Police, the Military, and other security and intelligence agencies for their efforts and sacrifices in safeguarding lives and property across the country. Ora-Igbomina residents further acknowledged the role of both the mass and social media for bringing the incident to national attention despite the community’s remote location.
“Traditional rulers in Ifedayo Local Government Area were also praised, particularly the Orangun and the Asaoni, for their concern, support, and intervention. The statement emphasized that unity remains the community’s greatest strength. The Akesin, chiefs, pastors, imams, and citizens of Ora-Igbomina were equally commended for their prayers, solidarity, and collective efforts during the difficult period.”
He called for continued unity and self-reliance, stressing that community cooperation remains essential to addressing shared challenges.
