Kidnappers have released the abducted retired Customs officer, Emmanuel Owolabi, who was kidnapped in Ora, Osun State.
The ex-customs officer 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 the 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 the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. We paid for his release. We paid millions to get him out,” the source said.
On Monday, December 15, some gun-wielding men attacked Ora, a community on the Osun/Kwara State boundary, and abducted Owolabi.
Titilayo, the victim’s wife, told reporters that her husband was taken in front of his house on Akisa Road shortly before 7 p.m.
During an interview with our journalist, Titilayo explained that her husband had stopped by her shop just after it closed for the day.
She stated that while Owolabi headed for another site in town, she went home to make dinner.
Titilayo said that after she had finished cooking, she was awaiting her husband but suddenly heard gunshots at the door to their property.
“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 the Hausa language to him because they were speaking Hausa. Instead of him responding, 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 fleeing the village, the gunmen shot and killed a local chief, simply known as Dennis, who was returning from the farm.
48 hours after his abduction, the culprits reportedly sought a ransom of N200 million to liberate him, but an offer of N20 million was made, 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 advocated for ongoing unity and self-reliance, emphasizing the importance of community cooperation in addressing common difficulties.
