Osun LG Vice Chairman Still In Captivity 22 Days After Abduction

The Vice Chairman of Ifedayo Local Government Area of Osun State, Mr Debo Farounbi, has yet to regain freedom 22 days after he was abducted by gunmen.

Farounbi was abducted around 10 pm on Tuesday, June 9, in Ora, a boundary community along the Osun/Kwara border.

Community sources who spoke with Punch said Farounbi was abducted alongside three others, but military personnel and local volunteers stationed in the town resisted the attackers, forcing them to abandon the three victims and flee with him.

A family source said the abductors initially demanded ₦200 million for his release.

“It is true that they demanded ₦200 million. They used his mobile phone to call his family,” the source said.

“But after days of negotiating, the amount has been reduced to N50m, but his family are still running around to raise the money,” the source added.

The source said the abductors also sent pictures of Farounbi to his relatives to pressure them.

“There is growing concern over his state of health.

“But as of 7 pm today, he has not been released. I don’t even think there are any search and rescue efforts again from the security agencies,” the source said.

The Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said the command was still working to rescue Farounbi safely.

Ojelabi said, “We are still working within the information available to us to see to the safe rescue of the victim.

“Two people were arrested inside the forest after the abduction, and after our investigation, we charged them in court.

“The court has since remanded them to the correctional centre. We are working hard to rescue the victim.”