Gunmen Demand N500m Ransom for Abducted Ondo Manager

Afolabi Ajayi, a farm manager, was kidnapped on a Monday in Imafon Community, Akure North Local Government Area, Ondo State, shortly after arriving to inspect ongoing activities at the farm. Armed men reportedly overpowered him as he stepped out of his vehicle.

Sources close to the family confirmed the kidnapping and indicated that the abductors have demanded a ransom of N500 million for his release. The family is in distress over the substantial amount requested, and efforts to negotiate a lower ransom have reportedly not yielded any results.

Local residents have expressed heightened fears regarding the increasing cases of kidnapping in the area, particularly affecting farmers who operate in remote locations. The Ondo State Police Command, represented by DSP Abayomi Jimoh, has not officially confirmed the ransom demand but assured that security operations are underway to track down the perpetrators and secure Ajayi's release without harm.

Patrol teams are intensifying efforts in nearby forests where the suspects are believed to be hiding.