Ondo State has been hit by another wave of kidnappings, with a businessman, Tope Faaji, his wife, and their daughter abducted by suspected bandits in Owo Local Government Area. The abduction, which occurred last Friday evening, marks the second high-profile kidnapping in the state within a week, following the kidnapping of nine surveyors in Akure North Local Government Area.
According to sources, the victims were taken at the entrance of their residence along Ipele Road in Owo, shortly after returning home from work. A resident, who spoke to Daily Trust on Sunday, recalled the final moments before the kidnapping. “We were together on Friday evening because we were fasting. I was with Tope at his wife’s shop before we went our separate ways to break our fast,” the resident said.
The tragedy unfolded when Faaji’s son, who had been with his family, received a call from his father’s abductors. “Later, I got a call from his son, informing me that his father, mother, and sister had been kidnapped. When we rushed to his house, we confirmed the sad news,” the resident continued.
The son, who had stepped out of the car to open the gate as his parents and sister arrived home, was not taken by the kidnappers. However, as he was outside, the armed assailants struck and abducted the rest of the family. Following the kidnapping, the family was contacted by the abductors, who demanded a ransom for their release. “They initially asked for N30 million, but after negotiations, they reduced it to N20 million,” a source revealed.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about the increasing frequency of kidnappings in Ondo State, which has witnessed a surge in such criminal activities in recent months. Just one week earlier, suspected gunmen kidnapped nine surveyors in the Owode/Ilu Abo area of Akure North LGA. The surveyors’ abduction caused panic among professionals in the state, with many expressing fears over their safety while working on-site.
The abduction of Faaji and his family has sent shockwaves throughout the community in Owo, where people have grown increasingly anxious about their security. Local residents are calling on the state government to take urgent steps to address the growing menace of kidnapping, which has now become a widespread threat across Ondo State.
Reacting to the alarming rise in kidnapping cases, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Ondo State, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, confirmed that she had not yet received official confirmation of the abduction but promised to follow up on the matter. The lack of immediate information from the police has only fueled concerns that security forces may not be adequately prepared to tackle the escalating problem of kidnapping in the state.
Security experts have pointed out that while kidnappings in Nigeria are not new, they have been particularly rampant in the southwestern part of the country in recent years. Ondo State, once considered relatively peaceful compared to its neighboring states, has seen a sharp rise in these criminal activities, with both urban and rural areas increasingly targeted by armed kidnappers.
In response to the growing insecurity, the Nigerian Institute of Surveyors (NIS) raised alarms over the impact of kidnappings on their profession. During a press briefing in Akure last week, Tajudeen Bello, the Chairman of the NIS, lamented that surveyors in Ondo State were now afraid to carry out their work in certain areas due to the escalating threat of abduction. “Surveyors are increasingly becoming targets of kidnappers, and this is making it difficult for our members to work freely,” Bello stated.
The impact of these kidnappings extends beyond the professional community. Many residents and business owners in Ondo State are now questioning their safety and whether they should continue living and working in the state. As kidnappings continue to increase, local businesses are experiencing disruptions, and residents live in constant fear for their lives.
Amid this growing insecurity, the Ooye Development Initiatives (ODI), a socio-cultural organization, has called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to take urgent action to address the rising spate of kidnappings and other violent crimes in Ondo State. In a statement issued over the weekend, ODI President Tokunbo Jegede condemned the surge in kidnappings, armed robberies, and killings, particularly in Akure, the state capital.
“The increasing cases of abductions and killings in parts of Akure and other areas in the state are alarming. The state government must take immediate action to protect its citizens,” Jegede urged. The ODI’s statement reflects the frustration and fear that many residents of Ondo State are feeling as the once-peaceful region is increasingly targeted by criminals.
The Ondo State government has yet to issue an official response to these growing concerns. However, it is expected that pressure will continue to mount on the state’s leadership to address the security situation. Many residents believe that unless decisive action is taken soon, the wave of kidnappings could spiral further out of control, causing more harm to families and businesses in the state.
The abduction of Faaji and his family comes at a time when the state is grappling with multiple challenges, including the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic hardships, and rising unemployment rates. The state’s leadership is now under pressure to ensure the safety of lives and property, which many believe is vital for the continued growth and prosperity of Ondo State.
The fact that the kidnappers were able to strike in broad daylight and with apparent ease highlights the growing boldness of criminal elements in the state. Many believe that the authorities must do more to strengthen the security apparatus, improve intelligence gathering, and work with communities to tackle the root causes of criminal activities in Ondo State.
