Kidnapped Akure Couple Freed After Four Days in Captivity as ₦5 Million Ransom Paid

Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Pierre Antoine

A married couple abducted in Akure have been freed after four days in captivity following the payment of a ₦5 million ransom — a significant reduction from the initial ₦40 million demanded by their captors.

The couple, whose identities were withheld for privacy and security reasons, were reportedly seized in a wooded area on the outskirts of Akure while returning home from a business errand late one evening last week. Family members said the abductors struck swiftly, overwhelming the pair before forcing them into a waiting vehicle.

Initial demands from the kidnappers were reportedly exorbitant, with threats circulating that the ransom could rise to ₦40 million if not promptly met. The family, distressed by the development, immediately contacted local security authorities and sought guidance from community members and private negotiators to secure the hostages’ release.

According to law enforcement sources in Ondo State, negotiations began almost immediately, with mediators and family representatives engaging intermediaries believed to be in communication with the kidnappers. Over the course of the four-day ordeal, the ransom figure was gradually reduced through dialogue, intelligence-driven pressure and coordination with security operatives.

Officials confirmed that the ₦5 million ransom was eventually paid and that the couple were released unharmed in a pre-arranged location outside the city. Authorities did not specify whether the payment was made directly by the family, through negotiated channels, or with the assistance of security personnel, citing concerns over operational sensitivity.

Ondo State police sources said the duo were swiftly taken to a safe location for medical evaluation, debriefing and reunification with their relatives. The couple’s condition was described as stable and relieved following their release, with no major injuries reported. They were later handed over to state security agencies for further care and psychosocial support.

Law enforcement officers in the state noted that the swift negotiation and eventual release illustrates the high stakes of rural abductions and the complex calculus families face when terrorists or criminal gangs impose ransom demands. Sources emphasised that kidnappers often adjust their expectations downward when confronted with firm negotiation, sustained pressure from security forces, and credible resistance from families and community negotiators.

Authorities have not publicly disclosed whether any arrests have been made in connection with the incident. However, efforts to track and apprehend those responsible remain ongoing, with security operatives from the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services and the Nigerian Army reportedly collaborating on intelligence gathering and manhunts in wooded corridors leading in and out of Akure.

Community leaders in Akure have expressed relief at the safe return of the couple but stressed that the incident highlights persistent vulnerabilities in peri-urban areas. They appealed to the state government to strengthen security measures along known crime routes and to increase patrols, particularly in poorly lit corridors and forested stretches that are frequently exploited by kidnappers.

In recent months, kidnappings for ransom have emerged as a pressing security challenge in parts of southwestern Nigeria, including Ondo State, as criminal gangs seek leverage and financial gain. Security experts attribute the rise to a combination of economic pressures, porous terrain, and the adaptive tactics of armed groups who exploit gaps in surveillance and law enforcement coverage.

Ondo State’s Commissioner of Police reaffirmed the command’s commitment to curbing kidnapping incidents, promising enhanced patrols, increased intelligence operations and closer engagement with communities to identify early warning signs of criminal activity. He also urged residents to immediately report suspicious movements to authorities rather than attempt rescue or negotiation independently.

The case has reignited public debate around the ethics and risks of paying ransom in kidnapping cases. While law enforcement agencies typically discourage ransom payments — arguing that they embolden criminal networks — families in distress often face agonising choices when the lives of loved ones hang in the balance.

As the couple settles back into civilian life, government and security officials continue to monitor the situation, aiming to translate lessons from the incident into more effective preventive strategies. Families and community organisations in Akure have called for concerted efforts to reduce the area’s attractiveness to kidnappers, including improved lighting, community surveillance networks, and rapid response mechanisms.

The safe return of the abducted couple marks a rare positive outcome in an environment where many kidnapping cases end in protracted negotiations, injury, or worse. Security watchers say the incident will likely prompt renewed focus on enforcement priorities in the region, even as broader discussions continue on the most effective ways to combat kidnapping for ransom in Nigeria.

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