Gunmen abduct Ogun farmer, demand N500m ransom

Armed men have abducted a 33-year-old poultry farmer, Oreoluwa Osonuga, at the Ikenne Farm Settlement in Ogun State.

Osonuga was kidnapped on Sunday afternoon, August 9, 2026 at approximately 12:05 p.m.

The chairman of the farm settlement, Seye Kehinde, confirmed the incident in a statement released on Monday. 

According to Kehinde, the kidnappers briefly reached out to the victim’s family, demanding N500 million for his release.

“The farm settlement in Ikenne witnessed an ugly situation this afternoon (12:05pm), as one of our members was kidnapped. He is Mr. Oreoluwa Osonuga, Male and about 33yrs of age,” the statement read.

 

“He is a poultry farmer and was on his way out of the farm when he was accosted by gun men, who shot at his car and forced him into the bush. Immediately, security personnel were invited and their response was prompt.

 

“Military men were also deployed from Ilese, who combed the forest with no tangible result.

 

“We are using this medium to keep the community aware of our plight and to stay vigilant.”

He noted that despite round-the-clock efforts by police, anti-kidnapping units, soldiers, and other security operatives, there had been no major breakthrough two days after the farmer’s abduction.

“Today is Day 2. No significant development on either the rescue or release of kidnapped Oreoluwa Osonuga.

“There has not been further contact from the abductors since the brief one made yesterday (Sunday) evening – around 5pm – with a cousin of the victim’s father, during which demand for N500 million ransom was made. 

 

“It was the kidnapper who spoke with his second cousin using his handset with MTN network. The Ogun State Commissioner of Police is abreast of efforts being made by his men.

 

“It is on record that four months ago, on April 1, 2026, one of the farmers in the Settlement was kidnapped. He was in captivity for days before he was released after paying a ransom.”

The victim’s granduncle, Soga Osonuga, also confirmed the incident to punch, describing it as a source of deep anxiety and distress for the family.

“It is true that my nephew was abducted on Sunday, his father is the last born of our parents and I was there when a call was put across to him on Sunday. The statement is true. 

“I haven’t heard anything today Monday, but yesterday someone called the line while we were at the settlement. The police is already aware but we are also using this opportunity to call on the security agencies to intensify their efforts and ensure that my nephew is safely released,” he said. 

He added that the family had been left shaken by the incident, noting that his nephew was simply trying to contribute meaningfully to food production in the country.

“It has been a very difficult time for the family, we are emotionally and psychologically upset. This is a young man that is trying and struggling to do something reasonable with his life and make the two ends meet and for such a young man to be facing something like this has thrown the family, friends, and well-wishers into a state of unnecessary anxiety.

 

“We plead with the government and security agencies to please act fast and help bring back our son safely.”