Gunmen Abduct Two Farmers in Ondo, Demand N10m Ransom

Two farmers have reportedly been abducted by suspected gunmen in Ifira, an agrarian community in Akoko South-East Local Government Area of Ondo State, triggering a joint search and rescue operation by security agencies and local vigilantes.

The victims were said to have been ambushed while on their way to their farms and subsequently taken into a nearby forest.

A family source said the incident had been reported to the police and the Ondo State Security Network Agency, known as Amotekun, as relatives sought urgent intervention to secure the victims release.

According to the source, the abductors had contacted the families and allegedly demanded N10 million as ransom for the release of the two farmers.

The relative appealed to security agencies and the state government to intensify efforts to rescue the victims unharmed.

“We’ve reported the incident to the police and the Amotekun Corps in our area. We’re begging the security agencies and the government to help us rescue our brothers unharmed,” the family member said.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, said the Isua Akoko Divisional Headquarters had received a report concerning two missing persons.

He said a joint security operation had been launched across the Oke-Ifira/Idogun forest axis in an effort to locate the victims and apprehend the suspected kidnappers.

The operation, according to Abayomi, involves personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Amotekun Corps, local hunters, Agbekoya operatives and community volunteers.

“Search and rescue operations are currently ongoing, with all available operational and intelligence resources being deployed to locate the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice,” he said.

However, the police command distanced itself from reports that the kidnappers had demanded N10 million, saying it had not received any official information confirming such a ransom demand.

“The Command wishes to categorically state that it is not aware of any ransom demand in connection with this incident,” Abayomi added.

The latest abduction has renewed concerns over the safety of farmers and rural residents in parts of Ondo State, where forested areas and isolated farm routes can provide cover for criminal activities.

For farming communities, insecurity has broader consequences beyond the immediate threat to lives, as attacks and kidnappings can discourage farmers from accessing their fields, disrupt food production and deepen economic hardship in rural areas.

The police urged residents and members of the public with credible information about the victims whereabouts or the activities of the suspected abductors to contact security agencies.

Abayomi assured the public that information provided would be treated confidentially, while reaffirming the command's commitment to rescuing the victims and bringing those responsible to justice.

Security agencies also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely and credible intelligence to support ongoing operations in the area.