Bayo Fabiyi, the Kwara State Coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress, and two others were kidnapped while purportedly attempting to deliver a ransom for the release of a kidnap victim in Oko-Irese, Irepodun Local Government Area of the state.
The incident, which is claimed to have happened on Sunday, has aroused worry in the community, with reports claiming that the victim, whose release was being negotiated, was killed before the ransom squad arrived at the scheduled site.
According to sources familiar with the situation, Fabiyi, a driver, and another accomplice proceeded on the expedition after suspected kidnappers demanded N30 million, five motorcycles, and three bags of rice in exchange for the victim’s release.
According to sources, the trio was guided to a woodland location near the Kwara-Kogi border, where the swap was expected to take place.
“They were acting on instructions from the kidnappers. The team went with about N30m, five motorcycles, and three bags of rice because that was what was demanded for the victim’s release,” a source said on condition of anonymity.
However, the ransom payment mission reportedly took a tragic turn when the ransom bearers were allegedly ambushed and abducted upon arrival.
“Instead of releasing the victim, the kidnappers seized those who came to deliver the ransom. Since then, nobody has heard from them,” the source added.
The insider further said that later intelligence revealed that the victim at the centre of the discussions had already been killed before the ransom delivery team left on the trip.
“What we heard afterwards was that the victim had been killed before the ransom was delivered. Unfortunately, those who went on the mission were unaware of that development,” the source said.
It was also said that before departing on the trip, Fabiyi sought spiritual guidance and was urged not to proceed.
According to sources, the incident was not immediately reported to security agencies; therefore, the timing for government intervention is undetermined.
When reached on Monday, Adekimi Ojo, the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, stated that the command has yet to receive a formal report regarding the purported kidnapping.
“I am not aware of the incident because it has not been reported to the police. Once a report is made, we will investigate and take appropriate action,” Ojo said.
Fabiyi’s kidnapping comes just five weeks after he expressed worry about rising violence in Kwara South and advocated for increased collaboration between security authorities and local security organisations.
Speaking on May 16, the OPC head regretted the rise in kidnappings and violent crimes in rural villages, claiming that local groups like the OPC possessed vital intelligence and knowledge of forest pathways that could aid security efforts.
“We understand the forests, the routes, and the patterns. If properly engaged, we can provide intelligence, local surveillance, and rapid response within communities,” he had said.
Fabiyi ascribed the area’s security issues to the deterioration of traditional institutions, inadequate community information collecting, and a failure to adequately integrate local security organisations into attempts to defend rural populations.
