By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
Fear has gripped residents of Ifon community in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State following the detention of two men who went to deliver ransom to kidnappers holding the local chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nelson Adepoyigi.
Adepoyigi, who chairs Ward 5 of the APC in Ifon, was abducted on Monday night at the gate of his residence along the Ifon/Owo road. Eyewitnesses say he was forcefully dragged out of his vehicle and beaten with a plank before being taken into the forest by the gunmen.
Initially, the abductors demanded N100 million for his release but reportedly settled for N5 million after negotiations. However, a dramatic twist occurred when the two men sent to deliver the ransom — identified simply as Bayode Loco and Isimeri — were themselves taken hostage late Wednesday night.
A family source disclosed the disturbing development, saying, “The two men who took the ransom to them, as agreed during negotiations, have been held by the kidnappers as I speak with you.”
The source added that the kidnappers have now demanded a fresh sum of N30 million for the release of all three captives — the APC chairman and the two ransom bearers.
Confirming the development, Chairman of Ose Local Government Area, Hon. Kolapo Oja, expressed shock over the latest demand.
“Yes, they have now asked for another N30 million before they would release Mr. Adepoyigi and the two other men. We are worried but working closely with security operatives to secure their freedom,” he said.
He urged residents to remain calm as efforts intensified to locate and rescue the victims.
The Ondo State Police Command had earlier confirmed that a combined team of security agents, hunters, and vigilantes were already combing the forest in search of the abductors, but attempts to get an updated response from the command’s spokesperson, Olusola Olayinka, were unsuccessful as of press time.