Nelson Adepoyigi, 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 been reportedly killed by his captors.
Adepoyigi was kidnapped on Monday by armed men at the entrance to his farm along the Ifon-Owo Road in Ifon, the headquarters of Ose LGA.
The kidnappers later contacted his family, demanding a ransom of ?100 million. However, the family was only able to raise N5 million. Upon receiving the payment, the abductors, reportedly dissatisfied with the amount, detained the two individuals who delivered the money and demanded an additional N30 million for their release.
Tragically, Mr. Adepoyigi was later shot dead by the kidnappers. The two men who delivered the ransom were released on Friday.
Confirming the incident in a statement released on Sunday, the Chairman of Ose Local Government, Mr. Clement Ojo, described the killing as devastating.
“While we are grateful that the two volunteers have regained their freedom, it is deeply saddening and utterly painful that the life of Mr. Nelson Adepoyigi was brutally cut short by his captors,” Mr. 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.”
He also paid tribute to Adepoyigi’s commitment to party growth and grassroots development, stating:
“The deceased was a man dedicated to the progress of the party. His contributions to the grassroots will be remembered and honoured.”
Expressing concern over the rising insecurity in the region, the council chairman decried the worsening state of public safety:
“We are now at a critical juncture where security challenges pose 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 disturbing trend of brazen abductions—even at the doorsteps of people’s homes—underscores the intolerable level of insecurity in our communities.”
Efforts to reach 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.