Gunmen abduct Ondo LCDA secretary Joseph Kayode; family say kidnappers demand ₦100m. Police launch rescue as schools close and residents protest.
Joseph Kayode Aladesuyi, a well-known farmer and local APC supporter, was taken while working on his poultry farm in the Kajola area of Ilu-Abo, near Akure.
His family say the kidnappers called within 24 hours and are asking for ₦100 million for his release.
What Happened
Police say the abduction occurred on the morning of Monday 9 March 2026. It took place at a poultry farm on Kajola Road, about five kilometres from Akure Airport.
Witnesses told officers that masked gunmen came out of the nearby bush, fired shots into the air and then drove off with the victims.
Three people were reported taken. The individuals included the council secretary and agro-investor Joseph Kayode Aladesuyi. Another person was a woman named Esther, who is also reported as Easter Akinlolu.
Neighbours described scenes of panic. Pupils were sent home as schools briefly closed. Residents fled when the attackers opened fire.
The Ransom Claim
Family members have told local media about the situation. They posted appeals on social media. They mentioned the abductors contacted them the next morning. The abductors demanded ₦100 million. The family has appealed for help and asked anyone who can to contribute towards securing his freedom.
The Political Angle
On 15 February 2026, Joseph posted on Facebook. He stated that he was “100% committed to the re-election” of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. That post has been widely shared since the abduction. Some commentators have suggested it may explain the heightened attention the case has attracted online. Mainstream reporting, nonetheless, relies on police and family accounts for the facts.
Why Farmers Are Vulnerable
Attacks on rural farms match a disturbing national pattern. Kidnapping for ransom in Nigeria has become organised and lucrative.
Farmers and other rural workers are particularly exposed because they work in isolated spots and often cannot get a fast security response.
Recent intelligence and research record thousands of abductions and large sums paid in ransoms over the past year.
Police Response and Official Lines
Ondo State Police spokesperson Abayomi Jimoh confirmed the abduction. He said tactical teams and detectives have been deployed to search for the victims.
The Commissioner of Police has ordered the use of all available operational resources. Intelligence resources will also be utilized. The goal is to secure the hostages and arrest the perpetrators.
Police describe the inquiry as preliminary and say rescue efforts are ongoing.
Local Reaction
Ilu-Abo and neighbouring towns were left on edge. Parents pulled children from school. Markets closed temporarily. Some residents blocked the Akure-Owo highway to protest what they see as security lapses.
Local youth groups have demanded swift action from the state government. Meanwhile, families try to raise funds. They also involve community elders.
The Ransom Economy
Open-source analyses and intelligence briefings reveal that kidnapping has become a money-making market. This drives the size of ransom demands, including figures like ₦100 million.
Between mid-2024 and mid-2025 watchdogs and investigations estimated kidnappers obtained billions of naira in ransom.
The scale makes the crime attractive to organised networks and helps explain why kidnappings continue despite security operations.
What We Verified
Date and location — police statements and local media confirm the abduction took place on Monday, 9 March 2026. It occurred at a poultry farm on Kajola Road, Ilu-Abo near Akure.
Victims — police and outlets report the names Joseph Kayode Aladesuyi and Esther/Easter Akinlolu. Some reports mention an additional victim. They also mention a child who escaped.
Ransom demand — family and local outlets say the kidnappers asked for ₦100 million. Police have not issued a formal confirmation of the amount. They are investigating.
Social media post — copies of a 15 February 2026 Facebook post have circulated. In it, Joseph pledged support for the president. These copies are part of the public context.
Open Questions and Risks
• Motive. The motive for the abduction is still unclear. It may have been politically motivated, opportunistic, or carried out by criminal groups targeting prominent locals.
• Negotiation. Families face agonising choices. Paying a ransom can free a hostage but may encourage more attacks; police say they prefer intelligence-led rescues where possible.
• Impunity. The repeated pattern of kidnappings on urban fringes shows gaps in rural policing. There are slow response times. Armed groups move easily using bush corridors.
What Should Happen Next
First, a well resourced and intelligence-led police rescue operation is essential. It should be coordinated openly with community leaders. This allows families to report demands safely.
In the medium term, the state must close security gaps around vulnerable farms. It should also maintain targeted patrols on known bush routes.
At the national level, stronger intelligence is needed. Legal action against those who finance ransoms is also required. Community protection schemes are essential to undermine the economics that feed the kidnap industry.
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Closing
The abduction of Joseph Kayode Aladesuyi underscores the dangers rural Nigerians face even as authorities promise better security.
For now, his family waits. The community prays for his safe return. Police pursue a rescue that must match the urgency of the demand.
We will continue to track official updates and any developments in negotiations or rescue operations.
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