Two weeks after his abduction near his residence in Ora, Osun State, a retired Customs officer, Emmanuel Owolabi, is still being held by his captors as his family struggles to meet the N200 million ransom demanded for his release.
Owolabi was kidnapped on Monday, December 15, when gunmen attacked Ora, a community along the Osun–Kwara State boundary. He was reportedly seized in front of his home along Akisa Road shortly before 7pm.
His wife, Titilayo Owolabi, recounted the traumatic incident, explaining that she had just returned from her shop and was preparing dinner for her children when she heard gunshots.
“I initially thought the sounds were from hunters in the area, but the gunshots became frequent. Later, I heard my husband’s voice outside our fence,” she said.
According to her, she stepped outside to find out what was happening, unaware that her husband had already been captured. One of the gunmen reportedly jumped into their compound while others continued shooting.
“They were young boys and they were speaking Hausa. I knelt down and spoke to one of them in Hausa, but instead of responding, he started beating me and demanding money,” she said.
She added that moments later, she heard the sound of a motorcycle moving towards the bush with her husband on it, while the gunmen inside the compound escaped over the fence.
During the attack, the assailants also killed a village chief identified simply as Dennis, who was returning from his farm.
Two days after the abduction, the kidnappers reportedly contacted the family using Owolabi’s phone and demanded N200 million for his release. A source close to the family said the demand was far beyond what they could afford.
“We are scared but hopeful. He is alive and has been allowed to speak with some family members. We tried to negotiate and offered an amount, but they rejected it, insisting on N200 million,” the source said.
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Despite ongoing negotiations, Owolabi remains in captivity, with the family appealing for help and intervention to secure his safe return.
Meanwhile, the Osun State Police Command said efforts to rescue the retired officer are ongoing. The Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, expressed concern over what he described as limited cooperation from the family.
“It is unfortunate that the family did not inform us when the kidnappers made contact. We only heard about it from a third party. Even so, our anti-kidnapping squad is actively working with the information available,” he said.
Authorities say search and rescue operations continue as the family holds onto hope that Owolabi will regain his freedom alive.
