Ose lawmaker, Maxima decries murder of APC Chieftain Adepoyigi, demands justice

........APC Ward Chairman in Ondo Killed by Kidnappers After Ransom Payment

Chairman of Ward Five of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ose Local Government Area (LGA) of Ondo State, Mr. Nelson Adepoyigi, who was kidnapped a few days ago, has been killed by his abductors.

The development has plunged the people of Ose LGA into mourning. The lawmaker representing the local government in the Ondo State House of Assembly, Honourable Olatunji Oshati (popularly known as Maxima), decried the tragic incident.

Adepoyigi was abducted last Monday while parking his vehicle at his residence in Ifon. Following his kidnap, the abductors initially demanded a ransom of N100 million. After several rounds of negotiations and pleas, the amount was reduced to N5 million.

However, after two persons from Ifon volunteered to deliver the N5 million ransom, they were also captured by the kidnappers. The criminals then demanded an additional N30 million before releasing all three captives.

The two volunteers were later released. Sources within the community revealed that the kidnappers disclosed the APC chairman had already been marked for death by those allegedly behind the abduction.

Confirming the development, the Chairman of Ose LGA, Mr. Kolapo Ojo, lamented the worsening security situation in the area.

“This pattern of brazen abductions, even at the very gates of people’s homes, confirms that insecurity has taken a dangerous and intolerable dimension,” he said.

“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,” he added.

Hon. Olatunji Oshati (Maxima), in a statement signed by his media aide, Ade Akingbade, mourned the death of Mr. Adepoyigi, describing it as “one too many and most unfortunate.”

He described the deceased as a loyal, vibrant, and committed leader who never shied away from any responsibility assigned to him.

Until his death, Mr. Adepoyigi served as Special Assistant (SA) to Hon. Maxima and was the Chairman of the APC Ward Chairmen’s Association in Ose LGA.

Maxima extended his condolences to Adepoyigi’s wife, children, the entire Adepoyigi family, the people of Ifon, and the APC family in Ose.

He described the moment as a difficult one for everyone who had interacted with the late Adepoyigi. The lawmaker, who had earlier raised the issue of his abduction on the floor of the House on Thursday, expressed sadness that the seasoned politician was taken out in what he described as a “deliberate assassination,” stressing that “despite the ransom being delivered, he was still callously murdered in the most unfortunate manner.”

While praying for the peaceful repose of his soul, Hon. Maxima called on law enforcement agencies to apprehend Mr. Adepoyigi’s killers “so that justice can be served, and the deep wound inflicted on his family can begin to heal.”