Abducted retired Customs officer, Emmanuel Owolabi, has regained his freedom two weeks after being kidnapped by suspected bandits, following the payment of an undisclosed ransom.
Owolabi was abducted on December 15 when gunmen invaded Ora, a boundary community between Osun and Kwara states, and seized him in front of his residence along Akisa Road.
His wife, Titilayo, had earlier recounted that the attackers stormed their home around 7 p.m., firing sporadically before whisking her husband away on a motorcycle.
While fleeing the community, the gunmen reportedly shot dead a village chief identified simply as Dennis. The abductors were said to have initially demanded ₦200 million as ransom, rejecting an offer of ₦20 million before negotiations continued.
His release was confirmed by the Asiwaju of Ora-Igbomina and former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines, Yemi Farounbi, who announced the development in a statement on Tuesday.
According to him, Owolabi was freed late on Monday in a forest around the Oro Ago community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State after negotiations with his abductors, who reportedly released him after receiving millions of naira in ransom.
“A very reliable source involved in the efforts to secure his release said, ‘He was freed late on Monday. We paid for his release. We paid millions to get him out,’” the source disclosed.
Reacting to Owolabi’s release, Farounbi commended the Osun State Government, security agencies, traditional rulers, and residents of Ora-Igbomina for their support, prayers, and unity, stressing that community cooperation remains vital in tackling insecurity, especially in boundary areas.
