Terrorists Abduct OPC Chieftain, Two Others During Ransom Delivery In Kwara

A chieftain of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Comrade Bayo Fabiyi, and two other persons have been abducted by suspected terrorists in Oko-Irese, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The incident has caused concern among residents following reports that the victims were attacked while travelling to deliver ransom and other items for the release of another kidnapped person.

Sources said Fabiyi was accompanied by a driver and an associate when they were ambushed by armed men along a route linking Kwara and Kogi states.

The team was reportedly conveying about N30 million, five motorcycles and three bags of rice as part of negotiations to secure the release of a previously abducted victim.

According to sources familiar with the development, the ransom mission was organised after a resident of the community was kidnapped by criminals.

However, it was gathered that the victim had allegedly been killed by the kidnappers before the ransom team arrived, a situation the team members were reportedly unaware of.

The attackers were said to have directed Fabiyi and his companions into a forested area before taking them away at gunpoint.

Sources also claimed that the OPC chieftain had sought advice before embarking on the journey, with a warning reportedly given against proceeding with the mission. The advice was allegedly ignored.

The circumstances surrounding the abduction have continued to generate uncertainty, especially as the incident was not immediately reported to security authorities.

When contacted, the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, said the command had not received any official report concerning the alleged kidnapping of an OPC member.

“I have not been informed of any such incident,” the commissioner said.

The development comes amid growing concerns over rising cases of kidnapping and banditry in parts of the North-Central region, with communities in border areas facing increasing security challenges.

Security agencies have continued to warn residents against engaging criminal groups directly during ransom negotiations, urging them to involve law enforcement authorities to ensure safer rescue operations.

As of the time of filing this report, the whereabouts of Fabiyi and the two other victims remained unknown, while efforts to confirm details of the incident and secure their release were ongoing.