Anxiety Deepens as Abducted Osun LG Vice Chairman Remains in Captivity After 22 Days

Tension continues to mount in Osun State as the Vice Chairman of Ifedayo Local Government Area, Mr. Debo Farounbi, remains in the custody of kidnappers 22 days after he was abducted by armed men along the Osun–Kwara border.

Farounbi was reportedly seized at about 10 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9, in Ora, a border community linking Osun and Kwara states. His prolonged captivity has heightened concerns among family members, residents and political associates, who continue to hope for his safe return.

According to community sources, the local government vice chairman was travelling with three other individuals when heavily armed kidnappers attacked them. However, personnel of the Nigerian military, working alongside local security volunteers stationed in the area, reportedly confronted the attackers.

The resistance mounted by the security operatives forced the gunmen to abandon the three other captives during the operation. Despite the intervention, the kidnappers escaped into the forest with Farounbi.

A source close to the victim’s family disclosed that the abductors initially demanded a ransom of ₦200 million before agreeing to lower the amount after prolonged negotiations.

According to the source, the kidnappers contacted members of Farounbi’s family using his mobile phone shortly after the abduction to communicate their demands.

“It is true they first demanded ₦200 million for his release. They used his phone to speak directly with members of his family,” the source revealed.

The source added that after several rounds of negotiations, the kidnappers reduced the ransom to ₦50 million. However, the family is still struggling to raise the amount being demanded.

Despite the reduction, relatives are said to be making frantic efforts to secure the funds while appealing for assistance from well-wishers and authorities.

In an apparent attempt to intensify pressure on the family, the abductors reportedly sent recent photographs of Farounbi in captivity to reassure them that he was still alive and to reinforce their ransom demand.

The prolonged ordeal has also sparked fears over the victim’s physical condition.

“There is increasing concern about his health because he has remained in captivity for over three weeks,” the family source said.

“As of about 7 p.m. today, he had not been released. Honestly, it appears as though there are no active search-and-rescue operations anymore, and that is deeply worrying,” the source added.

Responding to concerns over the delay in securing Farounbi’s freedom, the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, SP Abiodun Ojelabi, assured the public that efforts to rescue the abducted official were still ongoing.

According to Ojelabi, investigators have continued to work with available intelligence to ensure the safe release of the local government vice chairman.

He disclosed that two suspects were arrested inside a forest shortly after the abduction during security operations linked to the case.

Following investigations, the suspects were arraigned before a competent court and have since been remanded in a correctional facility pending further legal proceedings.

The police spokesman maintained that security agencies remain committed to rescuing Farounbi alive and bringing everyone connected with the abduction to justice.

The incident has once again highlighted growing concerns over insecurity in border communities between Osun and Kwara states, where cases of kidnapping for ransom have continued to pose serious threats to residents and travellers despite ongoing security operations.