Ogun poultry farmer abducted; kidnappers demand N500m ransom

Gunmen abducted 33-year-old poultry farmer Oreoluwa Osonuga on Sunday afternoon at the Ikenne Farm Settlement in Ogun State, Nigeria. The assailants reportedly intercepted Osonuga's vehicle around 12:05 p.m., firing shots at it before forcing him into the surrounding bush.

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The farm settlement in Ikenne witnessed an ugly situation this afternoon (12:05 p.m.), as one of our members was kidnapped. He is Mr Oreoluwa Osonuga, male and about 33 years of age.

The incident has heightened fear among farmers and residents of the settlement, especially as it follows another farmer's abduction from the same area approximately four months ago. Security personnel were immediately alerted, and soldiers were deployed from Ilese to search the forest for the victim, though initial efforts yielded no results.

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He is a poultry farmer and was on his way out of the farm when he was accosted by gunmen, who shot at his car and forced him into the bush.

Later on Sunday, the kidnappers contacted Osonuga's family, demanding a ransom of 500 million Nigerian Naira for his release. A follow-up statement on Monday indicated no further contact had been made since the initial demand. The abductors reportedly spoke with a cousin of the victim's father using Osonuga's phone.

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Military men were also deployed from Ilese, who combed the forest with no tangible result.

Confirming the abduction, the victim's uncle, Professor Soga Osonuga, expressed the family's "great anxiety and disturbance." He noted that the police are aware of the situation, and the family is appealing for help. The farm settlement chairman urged the community to remain vigilant.

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Today is Day 2. No significant development on either the rescue or release of kidnapped Oreoluwa Osonuga.