In a chilling reminder of Nigeria’s worsening security crisis, gunmen have abducted Mr. Nelson Adepoyigi, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ifon Ward 5, Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The incident unfolded on Monday evening along the volatile Benin-Ifon-Owo expressway, near the entrance to Adepoyigi’s farm—a route increasingly notorious for criminal activity. Eyewitnesses suggest that the APC stalwart was trailed and ambushed as he attempted to access his farmland, though the full circumstances remain murky.
Confirming the disturbing development, the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Olayinka Ayanlade, stated, “I can confirm to you that the APC Ward 5 Chairman was kidnapped at the entrance of his farm along the Ifon-Owo road.”
Reacting swiftly to the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Ifon, working in close coordination with local hunters, members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), and the Nigerian Army, has launched a massive manhunt for the assailants. Security operatives are combing nearby forests and known criminal hideouts in a determined effort to secure Adepoyigi’s release.
The police have issued a passionate plea to members of the public for information that could assist in tracking down the kidnappers and rescuing the victim safely. Residents of the area have also been urged to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious individuals or movements to the authorities.
This abduction underscores the escalating threats faced by community leaders and political figures in the region, as well as the broader challenges facing rural security infrastructure in Nigeria. The fate of Mr. Adepoyigi remains uncertain, and his family, community, and party colleagues wait anxiously for any word on his condition.
As security agencies intensify efforts to rescue the abducted party chairman, this latest incident raises urgent questions about the safety of lives and livelihoods across Nigeria’s hinterlands—particularly for those who dare to lead.
PIONEER NEWS 