Tension and confusion have gripped Oko-Irese in the Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State following the reported abduction of an Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) leader, Comrade Bayo Fabiyi, and two others.
Fabiyi, along with a driver and an associate, were ambushed and kidnapped by heavily armed men while travelling to deliver a ransom intended to secure the release of an earlier abducted community member.
Sources familiar with the incident revealed that the rescue team was transporting approximately ₦30 million in cash, five motorcycles, and three bags of rice demanded by the terrorists.
Tragically, it was later learned that the original victim had already been killed by the kidnappers before the delivery team arrived—a grim development the team was entirely unaware of when they set out.
The abductors reportedly instructed the ransom team via phone to proceed deep into a forested area along the Kwara-Kogi border route, where they were subsequently seized at gunpoint.
Local sources also claimed that Fabiyi had sought spiritual consultation before embarking on the hazardous journey and was explicitly warned against making the trip, but he chose to disregard the warning.
It was further gathered that the families did not immediately report the incident to security agencies out of fear.
When contacted, the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, stated that the state command has not yet received an official report concerning the alleged kidnapping.
He assured the public, however, that the police would immediately launch a full investigation once a formal complaint is lodged.
