A 33-year-old poultry farmer, Oreoluwa Osonuga, has been abducted by armed men at the Ikenne Farm Settlement in Ogun State on Sunday afternoon at approximately 12:05 p.m.

Osonuga’s abduction was made known in a statement released on Monday by Seye Kehinde, the chairman of the farm settlement.

According to Kehinde, the kidnappers briefly reached out to the victim’s family on Sunday, demanding N500 million for his release.

Part of the statement read, “The farm settlement in Ikenne witnessed an ugly situation this afternoon (12:05pm), 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. Immediately, security personnel were invited, and their response was prompt.

“Military men were also deployed from Ilese, who combed the forest with no tangible result.

“We are using this medium to keep the community aware of our plight and to stay vigilant.”

He noted that despite round-the-clock efforts by police, anti-kidnapping units, soldiers, and other security operatives, there had been no breakthrough two days after the farmer’s abduction.

He continued, “Today is Day 2. No significant development on either the rescue or release of kidnapped Oreoluwa Osonuga.

“There has not been further contact from the abductors since the brief one made yesterday (Sunday) evening – around 5pm – with a cousin of the victim’s father, during which demand for N500 million ransom was made.

“It was the kidnapper who spoke with his second cousin using his handset with MTN network. The Ogun State Commissioner of Police is abreast of efforts being made by his men.

“It is on record that four months ago, on April 1, 2026, one of the farmers in the Settlement was kidnapped. He was in captivity for days before he was released after paying a ransom.”

The victim’s granduncle, Soga Osonuga, also confirmed the incident, describing it as a source of deep anxiety and distress for the family.

Speaking to our correspondent by phone on Monday, Soga said, “My nephew was indeed abducted on Sunday; his father is the last born of our parents, and I was there when a call was put across to him on Sunday. The statement is true.

“We haven’t heard anything today, Monday, but yesterday someone called the line while we were at the settlement. The police is already aware, but we are also using this opportunity to call on the security agencies to intensify their efforts and ensure that my nephew is safely released.”

He added that the family had been left shaken by the incident, noting that his nephew was simply trying to contribute meaningfully to food production in the country.

He said, “It has been a very difficult time for the family; we are emotionally and psychologically upset. This is a young man that 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.

“We plead with the government and security agencies to please act fast and help bring back our son safely.”

Attempts to get a response from the state police command were unsuccessful, as calls to the command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, went unanswered, while messages sent to his WhatsApp had not been responded to as of press time.

It would be recalled that a joint operation by the police, the Department of State Services and the Nigerian Army on Thursday led to the rescue of seven abducted students from Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, with three of the kidnappers reportedly neutralised during the operation.

The Executive Governor of Zamfara State, His Excellency Dr Dauda Lawal, alongside other state governors and the President’s Chief of Staff, will represent Nigeria at the Canada–Africa Summit on digital rails and inclusive growth. The maiden investment summit is scheduled to take place in Toronto from August 10 to 15, 2026.

The Presidency’s invitation to Governor Lawal emphasised that his participation would strengthen Nigeria’s diplomatic and economic standing at the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Economic Conference (NDIEC). NDIEC is a leading global platform where governments, investors, multinational companies, development finance institutions, foundations and partners converge to form strategic partnerships and explore investment opportunities.

The summit is expected to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s goals through the National Energy Transition Plan, positioning Nigeria as a key partner in Africa–Canada economic cooperation.

The Zamfara State Government views NIDEC as more than just a diplomatic engagement; it is a strategic economic mission aimed at attracting investment, technology transfer, development funding and technical partnerships to drive the state’s economic transformation. Governor Lawal’s involvement will help position Zamfara as Nigeria’s emerging hub for agribusiness, strategic minerals development, human capital growth and digital innovation.

Nigeria’s delegation also includes the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; the governors Charles Soludo of Anambra State, Prof. Babagana Zulum of Borno State, Sen. Uba Sani of Kaduna State, and Caleb Muftwang of Plateau State; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, among others.

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has lost his father-in-law, High Chief Hamza Alimi Majowogbe, the Olu of Ibido-Omu in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State.

High Chief Majowogbe was the father of Chief Mrs. Bukola Taibat Obasa, wife of the Speaker. He passed away early Thursday, August 6, in the morning after a brief illness. He was 95.

The nonagenarian was buried according to Islamic rites in a solemn ceremony attended by family members, community leaders, and Islamic clerics.

Speaker Obasa, accompanied by several members of the Lagos State House of Assembly and close associates, was present to pay final respects to the late traditional ruler.

In his condolence message, Speaker Obasa sympathised with the entire family while urging them to take solace in the knowledge that their patriarch lived a worthy and impactful life.

The Speaker noted that High Chief Majowogbe’s earthly journey was marked by dignity, philanthropy, and service to the people of Ibido-Omu and beyond.

“We take comfort in the exemplary life he lived and the many lives he touched while with us. I pray that Almighty Allah grants the deceased Al-Jannah Firdaus and gives the family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” the Speaker stated.