A fresh N30m ransom has been demanded by the abductors of the Vice-Chairman of Ifedayo Local Government Area of Osun State, Debo Farounbi, 59 days after he was kidnapped.
Saturday PUNCH gathered that the kidnappers had been paid N30m about four weeks ago at an undisclosed location.
However, credible sources among the council workers and residents of the community told Saturday PUNCH on Friday that instead of releasing the victim, the abductors demanded a fresh N30m ransom.
A staff member of the local government who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity on Friday said the kidnappers also demanded a car in addition to the money.
The worker, who is knowledgeable about the ongoing negotiation between the kidnappers, Farounbi’s family and “LG officials,” said, “The kidnappers had earlier demanded a sum of N30m and diabetic drugs (maybe for the vice-chairman).
“The money and the drugs were delivered four weeks ago, but instead of releasing the vice-chairman, the abductors demanded another N30m. I am aware the ALGON is on top of the matter.”
Also, the Acting Coordinator of Ora-Igbomina Youth Front, Omololu Abidoye, confirmed the fresh N30m ransom demand.
Abidoye said efforts by the community to raise additional funds to secure the victim’s release had yet to yield results.
“The community initially raised N30m ransom, and it was delivered to the abductors. However, they are still demanding additional money before they will release him,” he said.
Commenting on the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Osun Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, said he was not aware of the fresh ransom demand.
He stated that two persons arrested in connection with the abduction had been charged to court and remanded in prison custody.
Farounbi was abducted by gunmen in Ora-Igbona on June 9, 2026.
The gunmen, it was learnt, picked four residents, including two Fulani women, another resident and Farounbi.
However, the gunmen were quickly resisted by the military stationed in the town, who pursued the assailants, forcing them to abandon three of the victims and whisk away the council official.
Saturday PUNCH gathered that Farounbi’s abduction is the third kidnap incident in the community in the last eight months.
In December 2025, a retired Customs officer, Emmanuel Owolabi, was abducted by suspected bandits in the community.
After spending almost four weeks in captivity, Owolabi was eventually released in a community in Kwara State following the payment of an undisclosed ransom.
On February 1, gunmen invaded Ora-Igbomina again through the Kwara boundary and abducted two residents.
They were also released after about four weeks in captivity.
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