Terrorists abduct OPC chieftain, two others during ransom delivery mission in Kwara

OPC Chieftain Abducted While Delivering Ransom for Kidnap Victim

A chieftain of the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC), Comrade Bayo Fabiyi, and two other persons have reportedly been abducted by suspected terrorists while attempting to secure the release of a kidnapped victim in Oko-Irese, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. Naijachronoscope gathered that the trio travelled to a forest hideout to deliver a ransom package allegedly demanded by the abductors, including N30 million, five motorcycles and three bags of rice.

Sources familiar with the incident said the kidnapped victim was a brother of a prominent politician in Kwara State who had been abducted in Oko-Irese penultimate Sunday. According to findings, Comrade Fabiyi, accompanied by a driver and another associate, transported the ransom items in a lorry to a remote forest location situated along the border between Kwara and Kogi states.

However, reports indicate that the victim had allegedly been killed before the ransom team arrived at the designated location.

Unknown to our boss and those with him, the victim had already been killed before they got there. They took the ransom and other items deep into the forest and were suddenly seized at gunpoint.

— Aide to Comrade Bayo Fabiyi

An aide to the OPC chieftain, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the three men were abducted shortly after handing over the ransom and other items demanded by the kidnappers.

Claims of Earlier Warning

The aide further claimed that Comrade Fabiyi had sought spiritual guidance before embarking on the mission and was allegedly advised against making the trip. According to him, an OPC member based in Ilorin reportedly warned the chieftain not to proceed after claiming to have received a troubling revelation concerning the mission.

The woman reportedly told him not to go because she saw him tied up by the terrorists in her spiritual revelation. I was surprised that our boss still went on that trip. We did not even know he had gone until news of the abduction reached us.

— Anonymous aide

Security Concerns Deepen

The incident has heightened concerns about insecurity in parts of Kwara State, particularly communities bordering forest corridors that stretch into neighbouring Kogi State, where criminal gangs are believed to maintain operational bases. Residents and community leaders have repeatedly raised concerns about the activities of kidnappers and armed groups operating within the region's vast forested areas.

When contacted, the Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, Ojo Adekimi, said the command had not received any report regarding the alleged abduction of the OPC chieftain or the ransom mission.

Nobody informed the police of any kidnap incident involving any OPC member, so we were not aware that anyone went to deliver ransom items to terrorists.

— Ojo Adekimi, Commissioner of Police, Kwara State

As of the time of filing this report, the whereabouts of Comrade Fabiyi and the two other abducted persons remained unknown, while efforts to secure their release were said to be ongoing.