Residents of Awun in Oro-Ago community, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, have reportedly paid ₦60 million to secure the release of three children who were abducted by suspected kidnappers about four months ago.
The ransom was said to have been raised through contributions from members of the community as well as indigenes living abroad, following months of efforts to negotiate the victims’ freedom.
Sources familiar with the development told newsmen that, in addition to the ₦60 million cash payment, the kidnappers also demanded several food items and other supplies before releasing the victims.
The items reportedly handed over to the abductors included two 50kg bags of rice, 20 litres of groundnut oil, one carton of spaghetti, 10kg of semovita, assorted alcoholic beverages and seasoning products, among other provisions.
Community sources disclosed that the fundraising campaign was coordinated through the Awun community’s WhatsApp platform, where residents at home and abroad received regular updates about the victims and the negotiations.
According to one of the sources, the victims—aged between four and 15 years—were abducted from their family home in February while their father, Olajide Buraimoh, was away.
The attackers reportedly stormed the residence in the morning and whisked away the children, leaving the community devastated.
It was gathered that a pregnant woman who was also kidnapped during the incident regained her freedom last week after the kidnappers reportedly released her separately.
However, the three minors remained in captivity until Monday, when they were finally released after the community succeeded in raising the demanded ransom.
A community member, identified simply as Ismail, described the situation as heartbreaking, saying residents endured months of anxiety while trying to secure the children’s release.
“Our situation in Awun is pitiable, only God can save us,” he said.
He confirmed that the children were released on Monday evening, noting that although the news brought relief to residents, the financial burden placed on the community was enormous.
“We got the news that the children were released yesterday, in the evening. It was cheering news but the financial crisis we went through was very serious,” he added.
Residents said the prolonged captivity of the children deeply affected families within the community, while efforts to mobilise funds became a collective responsibility for both local residents and Awun indigenes living outside the country.
The incident has also renewed concerns about the growing insecurity affecting rural communities in parts of Kwara State, where kidnapping for ransom has become increasingly common.
When contacted for comments, the Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, Ojo Adekimi, said the command had not been informed about either the abduction or the reported payment of ransom.
“I’m not aware of the development, nobody informed us of any abduction talkless of payment of ransom,” the police commissioner said.
The police have yet to issue an official statement on the reported release of the victims or any ongoing investigation into the incident.
