Residents and indigenes of Awun village in the Oro-Ago district of Kwara State have reportedly raised and paid a total of ₦60 million as ransom to secure the release of three members of the community who were abducted by suspected bandits four months ago.
Sources in the community told journalists that the abductees were kidnapped after armed men invaded the village, forcing residents to seek every available means to secure their freedom. According to the sources, repeated efforts to obtain assistance from the relevant authorities did not produce the desired results, prompting sons and daughters of the community, both at home and in the diaspora, to contribute funds for the ransom payment.
A source disclosed that the community not only raised the ₦60 million demanded by the kidnappers but also met other conditions, including the supply of two 50kg bags of rice, a 20-litre container of groundnut oil, a carton of spaghetti, 10kg of semovita, assorted alcoholic beverages and Maggi seasoning, among other items.
The source further revealed that details of the fundraising and ransom payment were communicated through the community’s WhatsApp platform, which serves as a channel for updating indigenes living abroad. The three victims, aged between four and 15 years, were reportedly released on Monday after the ransom was paid. A pregnant woman who had also been held captive was said to have regained her freedom last week, while the minors remained in captivity until Monday.
Speaking on the development, a community leader, Mr. Joseph Ayantunji, commended the collective efforts of the people of Awun village in securing the victims’ release but described the situation as deeply troubling. He lamented that the persistent insecurity had left residents living in fear and had crippled the community’s economic activities.
Ayantunji called on the government to strengthen security across rural communities and fulfil its responsibility of protecting lives and property. He stressed that urgent action was needed to restore confidence, revive economic activities and prevent communities from resorting to raising ransom payments to secure the freedom of kidnapped residents.
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