Gunmen abducted Nelson Adepoyigi, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ose Local Government’s Ifon Ward 5, Ondo State, on Monday evening, sparking a coordinated search effort by security forces and local volunteers. The incident occurred at the entrance to Adepoyigi’s farm along the Benin-Ifon-Owo expressway, a region increasingly plagued by kidnappings targeting farmers and commuters.
Confirming the abduction, Ondo Police Public Relations Officer Olayinka Ayanlade stated, “The Divisional Police Officer in Ifon has deployed personnel alongside hunters, the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), and Nigerian Army troops to track the kidnappers.” Authorities urged residents to share credible information to aid the operation, though details of the attack remain unclear.
Ondo State has faced a surge in kidnappings linked to armed groups exploiting rural highways and farmlands. Last month, two cocoa farmers were abducted near Idanre, while in March, travelers were seized along the Akure-Ikere road. These incidents have heightened calls for improved security measures in the state’s agrarian communities.
Adepoyigi’s abduction underscores vulnerabilities faced by local politicians and farmers. While no ransom demand has been publicly disclosed, sources suggest the kidnappers may leverage his political profile. The APC has yet to issue a formal statement, but party members privately expressed concerns over the safety of grassroots leaders.
