He left the farm but never made it home—Ogun family battles N500m ransom demand

Abduction at Ikenne Farm Settlement

For 33-year-old poultry farmer Mr. Oreoluwa Osonuga, what began as an ordinary Sunday at the Ikenne Farm Settlement in Ogun State ended in fear and uncertainty. At approximately 12:05 p.m., gunmen intercepted his vehicle, opened fire, and dragged him into the surrounding bush as he was leaving the facility.

Seye Kehinde, the Chairman of the Farm Settlement, disclosed the incident in a formal statement on Monday. He noted that security personnel were alerted immediately, leading to the deployment of soldiers from Ilese to comb the forest, though the initial search yielded no tangible results.

The farm settlement in Ikenne witnessed an ugly situation this afternoon (12:05 p.m.), as one of our members was kidnapped. He is Mr Oreoluwa Osonuga, male and about 33 years of age. He is a poultry farmer and was on his way out of the farm when he was accosted by gunmen, who shot at his car and forced him into the bush.

— Seye Kehinde, Chairman, Ikenne Farm Settlement

High Ransom Demand and Lack of Contact

The family’s distress deepened when the abductors established contact on Sunday evening, demanding a ransom of N500 million for Osonuga’s release. The call was reportedly made to a second cousin of the victim's father at approximately 5:00 p.m. using an MTN network.

According to updates from the farm settlement chairman, there has been no further communication from the kidnappers since that initial demand. The Ogun State Commissioner of Police has been briefed on the situation and is overseeing the rescue efforts being made by his officers.

There has not been further contact from the abductors since the brief one made yesterday (Sunday) evening; around 5 p.m. with a cousin of the victim’s father, during which a demand for N500 million ransom was made. It was the kidnapper who spoke with his second cousin using his handset with MTN network.

— Seye Kehinde, Chairman, Ikenne Farm Settlement

Family Expresses Deep Anxiety

The Osonuga family has described their current state as one of extreme psychological and emotional turmoil. Speaking on behalf of the family, Prof. Soga Osonuga, the victim’s uncle, emphasized that Oreoluwa is a young man simply trying to build a legitimate life through agriculture and contribute to food production.

Prof. Osonuga called on security agencies to intensify their operations to ensure his nephew’s safe return. He highlighted the impact the abduction has had on the family's well-being, describing the situation as an unnecessary state of anxiety for a young citizen trying to make ends meet.

It has been a very difficult time for the family. We are emotionally and psychologically upset. This is a young man who is trying and struggling to do something reasonable with his life and make ends meet, and for such a young man to be facing something like this has thrown the family, friends and well-wishers into a state of unnecessary anxiety.

— Prof. Soga Osonuga, Uncle to the victim, Ikenne Farm Settlement

Recurring Security Challenges for Farmers

This incident marks a troubling trend at the Ikenne Farm Settlement. Records indicate that another farmer was abducted from the same location on April 1, 2026, and was only released after a ransom was paid. This recurrence has heightened fears among the local farming community regarding their safety in isolated agricultural zones.

The vulnerability of farmers poses a significant threat to national goals of increasing local food production. As the search for Oreoluwa Osonuga continues, residents and stakeholders are calling for a sustained and effective security presence to protect those whose livelihoods depend on the land.