Kidnappers Kill Daughter, Release Mother After Paying N10m Ransom in Ekiti

Tragedy struck in Emure, Ekiti State, as kidnappers killed a young woman after abducting her and her mother along the Emure-Eporo Road. The victim, Shile Ogunmolasuyi, a recent secondary school graduate, was kidnapped alongside her mother, Mrs. Yemi Ogunmolasuyi, on Saturday evening.

The horrific incident occurred around 5:30 PM near Oyimo River as Shile and her mother were on their way to Akure after attending an event in Emure. The assailants ambushed their vehicle, driven by Taiwo Oluwole, who was shot and killed on the spot. The kidnappers then abducted the two women and another passenger, Mrs. Caroline Taiwo.

The kidnappers demanded a ransom of N30 million from the families of the captives but eventually settled for N10 million. After intense negotiations, the ransom was paid, and the captives were released around 1:30 AM on Wednesday in Owo, Ondo State. However, Shile was not among the released.

Tragically, the kidnappers killed Shile after enduring severe trauma. According to a community leader in Emure, who spoke with one of the victims, the kidnappers raped Shile repeatedly during captivity, leaving her too weak to continue the forced march the kidnappers imposed.

The community leader recounted, “The kidnappers made them walk for 24 hours nonstop without food or water. Shile, who had been raped several times, became too weak to continue and was subsequently killed by the kidnappers.”

Efforts are ongoing to locate Shile’s body and recover her remains. The loss has devastated the family, with one member stating, “We hope to find Shile’s body soon so we can lay her to rest.”

The Secretary of the Emure Progressives Association, Niyi Awopetu, confirmed the release of the survivors and the payment of the ransom. “Two people were released at midnight, but a girl among them was killed. I learnt the kidnappers collected N10 million ransom,” Awopetu said.

This tragic event has brought back painful memories for the residents of Emure, as the area has been plagued by similar incidents. Earlier this year, on January 29, several pupils and teachers from Apostolic Faith Children School were kidnapped in the same vicinity. Additionally, on July 13, Mrs. Atinuke, the wife of a retiree, was also kidnapped near the same spot.

The Ekiti State Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, did not respond to calls or messages seeking comments on the latest incident, leaving the community in shock and fear as they await further developments.