Emmanuel Owolabi, a retired personnel of the Nigeria Customs Service who was kidnapped in December 2025 from his house in Ora town, Ifedayo local government council area of Osun State has regained his freedom.
DAILY POST gathered that Owolabi regained his freedom after an undisclosed ransom was reportedly paid to his captors.
Owolabi was released late on Monday, according to a statement made available by Dr Yemi Farounbi, a former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines who also is the Asiwaju of Ora-Igbomina, in Osogbo on Tuesday.
Farounbi in the statement also commended the Osun State Government and Governor Ademola Adeleke, for their support during the period Owolabi was held captive.
He also praised the police, the military, and other security agencies, as well as traditional rulers and residents of Ora-Igbomina, for their prayers, cooperation, and collective efforts throughout the ordeal.
He said, “We thank the government for their support and assistance during the period that Owolabi was in captivity. We believe that the government would continue to strengthen security and expand presence, particularly in boundary communities in the state.
“We also commend the Police, the Military, and other security and intelligence agencies for their efforts and sacrifices in safeguarding lives and property across the country. Ora-Igbomina residents further acknowledged the role of both the mass and social media for bringing the incident to national attention despite the community’s remote location.”
Farounbi also praised traditional rulers in Ifedayo local government council area particularly the Orangun of Oke-Ila and the Asaoni of Ora-Igbomina, for their concern, support, and intervention.
Also, a reliable source familiar with the negotiations said Owolabi was freed in the forest around Oro Ago, a community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
“He was freed by his abductors late on Monday. We got him in the forest around Oro Ago. We paid for his release. We paid millions to get him out,” the source said.
The victim DAILY POST had reported was abducted on Monday, December 15, 2025, when gunmen attacked Ora community along the Osun–Kwara boundary.
While fleeing the community, the gunmen reportedly shot dead a village chief, identified simply as Dennis, who was returning from his farm.
It was gathered that the abductors initially demanded a ransom of N200m about 48 hours after the abduction.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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