(Gunmen. Photo Credit: Premuim Times)
A 33-year-old poultry farmer, Oreoluwa Osonuga, has been @bducted by armed gunmen at the Ikenne Farm Settlement in Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The incident occurred around 12:05 p.m. on Sunday when the assailants intercepted his vehicle, fired shots at it, and dragged him into the surrounding bush.
The @bduction has amplified fears among farming community members and residents of the settlement, particularly as it marks the second such incident within four months.
The Farm Settlement Chairman, Seye Kehinde, disclosed the incident through a statement released on Monday.
Security forces were notified immediately, and military personnel were dispatched from Ilese to conduct forest searches aimed at locating the victim.
In his statement, Kehinde confirmed that Osonuga was a poultry farmer who was departing the settlement when armed men accosted him, fired upon his vehicle, and forced him into the bush.
He noted that security response was swift and that soldiers combed the forest without success.
The chairman appealed to the community to remain vigilant during this difficult period.
The abductors made contact with members of Osonuga’s family later on Sunday, demanding ₦500 million for his release.
A subsequent statement from the settlement chairman on Monday indicated no further communication had occurred since Sunday evening.
The kidn@pper had briefly spoken with the victim’s second cousin using Osonuga’s phone on a MTN line, delivering the ransom demand.
As of Monday, described as Day 2 of the @bduction, no meaningful developments had emerged regarding either the victim’s rescue or release.
The Ogun State Commissioner of Police has been briefed on the situation.
This represents the second @bduction at the settlement in four months.
Another farmer was taken from the area on April 1, 2026, and was eventually released after several days in captivity, reportedly following ransom payment.
The victim’s uncle, Prof. Soga Osonuga, confirmed the abduction and expressed that the family had been thrust into profound distress.
He recounted being present when a call reached Osonuga’s father on Sunday and stressed that despite police awareness, the family was urging security agencies to accelerate their efforts.
Prof. Osonuga described the incident as shocking and noted particular anguish over the fact that his nephew was a young farmer attempting to build a legitimate livelihood and contribute to food security.
He characterised the ordeal as deeply troubling for the extended family and their associates, and appealed to government and security services to act urgently to ensure the young man’s safe return.
