The release of the Afenifere Youth Council President, Prince Eniola Ojajuni, was secured with at least N17million, a top family source revealed to SaharaReporters on Saturday.
The money was said to have been paid to secure his freedom from kidnappers after about 12 days.
According to the top sources, Ojajuni’s wife reportedly personally delivered the ransom to the abductors in Akure before his release.
They also noted that despite repeated pleas, the Nigerian government did not provide financial assistance, and security agencies were also unable to track the kidnappers’ location until the ransom was paid.
“We did not hear anything from the government despite repeated promises, and the police efforts did not yield results. We had no choice but to raise funds ourselves,” one of the sources told SaharaReporters.
Ojajuni is currently receiving medical treatment at an undisclosed location for security reasons.
Prior to his release, the Afenifere group had condemned the deteriorating security situation and demanded urgent intervention from the Ondo and Kogi state governments.
The group urged authorities to act swiftly to ensure Ojajuni’s safe rescue, noting that the abduction took place near the Ondo-Kogi state boundary.
Ojajuni was kidnapped on Monday, February 17, 2025, while traveling to Abuja.
The Afenifere Youth Council’s National Secretary, Abiodun Aderonhunmu, disclosed that the kidnappers initially demanded a N100million ransom.
A voice recording obtained by SaharaReporters had revealed a distressing conversation between Ojajuni’s family and the kidnappers.
During the call, Ojajuni, who had been shot in the buttock, pleaded for his life as the abductors threatened to kill him within 48 hours if the ransom was not paid.
The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) had earlier reaffirmed its commitment to securing Ojajuni’s release.
The Police spokesperson ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information that could compromise rescue efforts.
In response, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) ordered the deployment of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) to prioritise Ojajuni’s rescue.
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Source: SaharaReporters
