Armed men have abducted a 33-year-old poultry farmer, Oreoluwa Osonuga, at the Ikenne Farm Settlement in Ogun State.
Osonuga was reportedly kidnapped at about 12:05 p.m. on Sunday, August 9, 2026, while leaving the farm settlement.
The chairman of the settlement, Seye Kehinde, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Monday, saying the attackers shot at Osonuga’s vehicle before forcing him into the bush.
According to Kehinde, security personnel, including police officers and soldiers deployed from Ilese, immediately launched a search of the surrounding forest but were unable to locate the victim.
The kidnappers reportedly contacted the family briefly on Sunday evening and demanded a ransom of N500 million for Osonuga’s release. The call was allegedly made using the victim’s phone to a cousin of his father.
Kehinde said no further contact had been received from the abductors as of Monday, despite continued efforts by the police, anti-kidnapping operatives, military personnel and other security agencies to secure the farmer’s release.
He also recalled that another farmer in the settlement was kidnapped about four months earlier, on April 1, 2026, and spent several days in captivity before being released after a ransom was paid.
Osonuga’s granduncle, Soga Osonuga, also confirmed the abduction, describing the incident as a major source of concern for the family.
He appealed to security agencies to intensify their efforts and ensure the safe release of the 33-year-old farmer.
“It has been a very difficult time for the family. We are emotionally and psychologically upset,” he said.
He described Osonuga as a young man working hard to contribute to food production and build a meaningful life, adding that his abduction had caused significant anxiety among relatives, friends and well-wishers.
The family consequently appealed to the government and security agencies to act swiftly and secure Osonuga’s safe return.
