Fear has gripped residents of Agbaje community, along the Ala-Elefosan axis of Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State, following the abduction of three farmers by suspected kidnappers.
The victims, identified as two women and a man, including a woman identified as Funke Falolu, were reportedly kidnapped while working on their farm settlement in the agrarian community.
A family source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the abductors had contacted the families of the victims and demanded N5 million ransom for the release of each of the three captives.
The source said the incident had been reported to the police at Ala Police Station and the Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun.
He said the family was devastated by the abduction, noting that the victims had gone to the farm as they usually did before they were kidnapped.
He said, “When we heard that my brother’s wife was kidnapped, we were devastated. My sister-in-law, Funke Falolu, and the two others had gone to the farm just as they do every day. We never imagined they would not return home.
“The kidnappers called and told us to bring N5 million before they would be released. Where do we get such money?
“These criminals operate freely in the forests, and we are left to our fate. Now our people are being taken, and we are expected to pay millions we do not have. We are praying that they will be released soon.
“The government must do something urgently because farmers cannot farm. We are calling on the state government and security agencies to help us before it is too late.”
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ondo State Command, Abayomi Jimoh, assured that the incident would be investigated.
