A Saturday wedding celebration took a horrific turn in Kwara State as gunmen abducted at least five guests returning from a marriage ceremony, with a ransom demand of ₦100 million made for their release. The attack, which occurred in the late afternoon near Obbo-Ayegunle, Ekiti Local Government Area, has sent shockwaves through the community, leaving families and authorities scrambling for answers.
At around 4 p.m. on December 23, victims, including prominent figures from Odo-Owa community, were seized by the armed kidnappers as they made their way back from a wedding held in Ope Town, Kogi State. The incident is the latest in a growing trend of kidnappings along highways in the region, with tensions running high as the demands of the kidnappers mount.
Among the kidnapped were Oloye Oyewole Abolarin, the respected head of hunters in Odo-Owa, his wife, Funmilayo Abolarin, Tunde Oladipo and his wife, as well as a relative, Bose. All victims hailed from the Agbele Igbede compound in Odo-Owa, a community well-known for its close-knit structure and social activities.
The Abolarins, in particular, are figures of authority in the local community, with Oloye Oyewole Abolarin recognized for his leadership role among the local hunters. Their sudden abduction has left the people of Odo-Owa in fear and uncertainty, as locals rush to contribute to the ransom fund.
The kidnappers, who are yet to be identified, have reportedly made contact with the families of the victims, demanding a hefty ₦100 million ransom for their release. Eyewitnesses and family members are working together to raise the funds, though many are concerned about the feasibility of meeting such a high demand.
A relative of the victims, who requested anonymity, stated, “We are doing everything we can to raise the money, but it’s hard. We need help from the government and security forces. This is too much for us to handle alone.”
The family has also publicly appealed to Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, urging him to intervene and assist in securing the safe return of the victims.
As the community bands together in solidarity, local leaders are calling for heightened security measures along the state’s highways, especially in the wake of increasing kidnappings targeting travelers. Residents have expressed frustration over the persistent insecurity in the region, especially with the seeming lack of response from authorities.
The Kwara State Police, contacted for comment, had yet to provide an official statement. Attempts to reach DSP Ejire Adeyemi Toun, the spokesperson for the Kwara State Police Command, were unsuccessful at the time of writing.
The abduction has sparked broader discussions about the ongoing security crisis in Nigeria’s middle-belt and southwestern regions. While kidnappings for ransom are an all-too-common occurrence, the persistent lack of resources for law enforcement is making it increasingly difficult for authorities to stem the tide of violence.
Kwara State, like many other Nigerian states, has been grappling with insufficient law enforcement presence in rural areas. The state’s police force, often stretched thin, is struggling to cover vast areas that are increasingly seen as fertile ground for criminals. A growing sense of vulnerability has taken root in rural communities, who feel abandoned by the state and federal authorities.