The political landscape in Ondo State has been thrown into mourning following the brutal murder of Mr. Nelson Adepoyigi, the Ward 5 Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ose Local Government Area. Adepoyigi was abducted last Monday and subsequently killed by his kidnappers despite efforts by his community members to secure his release through ransom negotiations.
Kidnapped at His Doorstep
According to community sources, Adepoyigi was kidnapped on the evening of Monday, May 13, 2025, as he returned home to his residence in Ifon. He was reportedly parking his vehicle when armed assailants swooped in and forcefully took him away, leaving no immediate trace of their identity or destination.
The incident sent shockwaves across Ifon, a town already grappling with growing insecurity and rising cases of abduction-for-ransom crimes. Adepoyigi’s abduction marked yet another high-profile case highlighting the deepening crisis in the state’s rural communities.
Ransom Demands and Failed Negotiations
In the hours following his abduction, the kidnappers made contact with Adepoyigi’s family and demanded a ransom of N100 million for his safe release. After days of tense negotiations, pleas, and community efforts, the abductors reluctantly reduced their demand to N5 million.
Two courageous community members from Ifon volunteered to deliver the N5 million ransom in a desperate attempt to save the life of the abducted APC chairman. However, what was intended as a peace mission turned into a second crisis — both men were seized by the kidnappers upon arrival.
According to reliable sources within Ifon, the kidnappers then made a shocking new demand: an additional N30 million for the release of all three captives.
Tragically, despite the efforts and growing community anxiety, the situation took a dark turn. The kidnappers released the two community volunteers but refused to free Adepoyigi. Instead, they allegedly informed the volunteers that the APC chairman had already been “marked for death” and that his fate had been sealed from the onset — an indication that his abduction may have been orchestrated with malicious intent beyond ransom.
Confirmation and Community Outrage
The death of Mr. Adepoyigi was later confirmed by the Chairman of Ose Local Government, Kolapo Ojo, who expressed profound grief and frustration over the growing wave of insecurity in the region.
In his official statement, Ojo said:
“This pattern of brazen abductions, even at the very gates of people’s homes, confirms that insecurity has taken a dangerous and intolerable dimension.
The loss of Comrade Nelson Adepoyigi is not just a political loss to our party and community — it is a tragic reminder that no one is safe anymore in their own homeland.”
Ojo emphasized the need for urgent and coordinated security action to prevent further loss of lives and to restore public confidence.
“We urge our people to remain vigilant, promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest security post, and stand united as we work together to overcome this threat. It is time for all levels of government to act decisively.”
Political and Security Implications
The killing of Adepoyigi, a grassroots political figure, has sparked intense debate about the effectiveness of the state’s security architecture, particularly in volatile rural areas like Ose LGA. Residents say criminal elements have taken advantage of weak law enforcement presence, poor road networks, and delayed emergency response times to wreak havoc unchecked.
Local sources believe the murder of Adepoyigi could have political undertones, given his active involvement in local governance and his influence within the APC. There are growing calls for law enforcement agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), to open a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the kidnapping and his subsequent murder.
An APC chieftain in Ondo State who spoke anonymously described the incident as “an act of wickedness that must not go unpunished.”
“We demand justice for Comrade Nelson. If those behind this barbaric act think they can silence voices of development and change through intimidation, they are mistaken. We will not be cowed,” the party leader said.
A Wake-Up Call for Ondo State
The tragic killing of Nelson Adepoyigi is the latest in a string of kidnappings and violent attacks that have left communities in fear and local governments overwhelmed. Many residents now live in daily fear, uncertain of their safety even within their own homes.
Community development associations across Ose and surrounding areas are calling for the deployment of more security operatives, including military support if necessary, to root out criminal gangs believed to be hiding in the forests bordering Ondo, Edo, and Kogi states.
Civil society organisations have also urged the state governor and federal authorities to prioritize the security of rural communities and ensure that perpetrators of such heinous crimes are brought to justice swiftly.
The Man Behind the Name
Until his death, Nelson Adepoyigi was a well-respected grassroots politician who had dedicated himself to the growth and unity of the APC in Ose LGA. Known for his humility, accessibility, and strong mobilization efforts, Adepoyigi was regarded as a bridge between the party leadership and the grassroots voters.
His brutal murder has left a vacuum in the local political structure and dealt a severe blow to the morale of party members in the area.
Final Words
As Ondo State mourns the death of one of its own, the cry for justice and urgent security reforms grows louder. Nelson Adepoyigi’s death must not be in vain. It should serve as a wake-up call to both the state and federal government to restore law and order in communities where the shadow of terror now looms large.
The people of Ifon and the APC family may have lost a leader, but their resolve to seek justice and fight insecurity remains unbroken.
