The incident occurred on Sunday at about 12:05 p.m. when the assailants intercepted Osonuga's vehicle, shot at it, and forced him into the bush. This latest abduction comes barely four months after another farmer was abducted from the same area, further exacerbating concerns about safety and security in the region.
According to a statement issued by the Chairman of the Farm Settlement, Seye Kehinde, security personnel were immediately alerted following the incident, and soldiers were deployed from Ilese to comb the surrounding forest in an attempt to rescue the victim.
However, as of Monday, there had been no significant developments in the rescue efforts, and the abductors had made contact with the family only once, demanding a N500m ransom. The demand was made during a phone call to a cousin of the victim's father on Sunday evening, using the victim's handset with an MTN network.
The Ogun State Commissioner of Police has been informed of the efforts being made by his men to rescue the victim. The incident has plunged the family into "great anxiety and disturbance," according to Prof. Soga Osonuga, the victim's uncle.
Prof. Osonuga confirmed the abduction and expressed the family's distress, particularly given that Osonuga is a young farmer trying to contribute to food production. The family has pleaded with the government and security agencies to act fast and help bring back their son safely.
The abduction of Osonuga is not an isolated incident, as another farmer in the settlement was abducted on April 1,2026, and spent several days in captivity before being released after a ransom was reportedly paid.
The recurring incidents of kidnapping in the area have raised concerns about the safety and security of farmers and residents, and the need for increased efforts by security agencies to prevent such incidents and ensure the safe release of victims.
