Ondo farmers’ abductors reduce ransom to N20m

Abductors of the seven farmers in Itaogbolu, Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, have reduced the ransom from N100 million to N20 million.

The farmers were working on their farmland on Saturday, July 26, 2025, when gunmen suspected to be kidnappers launched an attack and whisked them away.

The kidnappers on Sunday reached out to the families of the victims, demanding a ransom of N100 million for the release of their captives.

However, a relative of one of the abductees, who preferred anonymity, on Wednesday, disclosed that the ransom had been reduced by the kidnappers after several appeals.

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He said: “The kidnappers have reduced the ransom from N100 million to N20 million. They contacted one of the family members and reduced the ransom to N20 million.

“They threatened to kill one of the victims if we fail to raise the money on time.

“So far, the victims’ families have raised N5 million, but negotiation is still going on.”

Speaking on the incident, the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted farmers.

“None of the victims has been rescued. Our men are still working with other security agencies in the state to ensure they are rescued unhurt,” Ayanlade told NAN.

The Star