Gunmen abducted a prominent farmer in Ondo State and have demanded a ransom of ₦100 million for his release

Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.

In a stark reminder of the deepening insecurity in parts of southwestern Nigeria, gunmen abducted a prominent farmer in Ondo State and have demanded a ransom of ₦100 million for his release. The incident has sent ripples of fear through farming and rural communities that have increasingly found themselves vulnerable to kidnappings and violent attacks, prompting urgent appeals for enhanced security measures and state intervention.

The victim has been identified as Joseph Kayode Aladesuyi, a well‑known farmer and local government official who also serves as the Secretary of the Okeluju Local Council Development Area under the Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo State. Aladesuyi, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of JOTINA Farms, was reportedly abducted on Monday while working on his farm in the Kajola settlement of Ilu‑Abo community, a rural area near the Akure Airport. Family members and associates confirmed that the kidnappers contacted them the next day, insisting that ₦100 million must be paid for his release.

According to relatives, the abductors made contact with the family by phone early Tuesday morning, conveying their ransom demand in a brief and tense conversation that left little room for negotiation. A family source described the amount as overwhelming, stressing that raising such a sum at short notice is virtually impossible for average households. Reports indicate that during the abduction, Aladesuyi may have sustained a gunshot wound to one of his hands, heightening concerns about his physical condition in captivity.

Social media accounts have added another dimension to the narrative, with some outlets reporting that Aladesuyi had recently publicly praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, claiming that government efforts had curbed insecurity. This aspect has drawn particular attention online, although official sources have focused primarily on the facts of the abduction and the ongoing efforts to secure his release.

The abduction has sparked widespread alarm in the Akure North Local Government Area and beyond. Residents of the affected communities have expressed mounting frustration and fear, reflecting a broader sense of vulnerability in rural areas where isolated farms and homesteads often lack adequate protection. Local youth groups and community leaders are reported to be actively lobbying security agencies for more robust patrols and rapid response units to deter future attacks.

The pace of kidnappings in the region has also triggered public demonstrations. In nearby areas, residents have blocked major highways with debris and even the bodies of victims killed by suspected kidnappers, demanding government action to stem the tide of violence. Protesters have called on state authorities to address insecurity more decisively, particularly in farming communities where abductions and attacks have become distressingly common.

Security agencies in Ondo State, including the Nigeria Police Force and state surveillance networks, have vowed to intensify efforts to locate the abductors and secure Aladesuyi’s safe release. The State Commissioner of Police has reportedly ordered all available operational and intelligence resources to be deployed to the forests and surrounding areas where the gunmen are believed to be hiding. In some accounts, unconventional security outfits have also joined the manhunt in an attempt to track down the perpetrators.

Despite these assurances, many residents remain sceptical, pointing to the persistence of kidnappings across the state and the frequency with which ransom demands—often reaching into tens or hundreds of millions of naira—have been made in recent years. The trend highlights systemic weaknesses in rural security architecture, including limited police presence on farmland peripheries and inadequate surveillance of isolated communities.

Kidnapping for ransom has become a recurring menace in parts of Nigeria. Incidents across Ondo and neighbouring states have seen farmers, political figures, school officials, and ordinary citizens abducted and held for large sums of money. In some cases, victims have been released after families or communities raised funds; in others, outcomes have been tragic.

This latest abduction has renewed debates about the effectiveness of current national and state strategies for combating kidnapping and banditry. Critics argue that insecurity in rural zones requires more than reactive policing—it needs a comprehensive approach that includes community‑based intelligence, expanded rural patrols, infrastructure improvements, and robust preventive measures. They also call for greater support for victims’ families, including financial assistance, counselling services, and protection against retribution.

Local authorities have yet to comment publicly on the specific demand for ₦100 million in this case. However, political and traditional leaders in the region are expected to hold discussions with security officials in the coming days to evaluate how best to respond and to prevent similar incidents.

For now, Aladesuyi’s family continues to grapple with uncertainty, torn between desperation to secure his freedom and the harsh reality of an extortionate ransom demand. Their plight has drawn sympathy from across the state, as community members and social media users alike express solidarity and call on authorities to act swiftly.

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