OPC Leader, Two Others Kidnapped While Delivering N30m Ransom

The Kwara State Coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Bayo Fabiyi, has been abducted alongside two associates while reportedly attempting to deliver ransom money meant to secure the release of a kidnapped victim in Oko-Irese, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

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The incident, which reportedly occurred on Sunday, has thrown the community into anxiety, with emerging claims that the victim at the centre of the negotiation may have been killed before the ransom delivery team arrived.

Sources familiar with the development said Fabiyi, a driver and another associate were dispatched after abductors allegedly demanded N30m, five motorcycles and three bags of rice as conditions for freeing the victim.

The ransom items were reportedly taken to a forest location along the Kwara–Kogi border where the kidnappers had directed them to come for the exchange.

According to the sources, the situation took a grim turn when the team allegedly walked into an ambush, leading to their own abduction instead of the victim’s release.

“It was meant to be a swap arrangement, but when they got there, the kidnappers turned on them and took them hostage,” one source said, adding that communication with the group was lost immediately after the encounter.

There are also claims that the original victim may have already been killed before the ransom delivery team set out, a development said to have been unknown to those sent on the mission.

Another source alleged that Fabiyi had earlier sought spiritual guidance before embarking on the trip and was warned against proceeding.

As of the time of filing this report, the incident had not been officially reported to security agencies, raising concerns over delayed response.

The Kwara State Police Command said it had yet to receive any formal complaint on the matter. 

The Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, stated that investigation would commence once a report is filed.

Fabiyi’s abduction comes weeks after he publicly raised alarm over worsening insecurity in Kwara South, urging stronger collaboration between local security groups and formal security agencies.

He had previously argued that community-based intelligence and familiarity with forest terrains could strengthen counter-kidnapping operations in rural areas.