Kidnapped Ambassador Onijala’s brother found dead
By Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
Mr Adegboyega Onijala who was kidnapped along Oko-Olla road in Isin local government area of Kwara state on Saturday while returning from his farm by gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen has been found dead.
The remains of the deceased, a brother to Ambassador Olutola Onijala, an Ex-Aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan, were reportedly found, already decomposing, by local hunters in a thick forest during a forest combing operation embarked upon by the local hunters and vigilante in the area.
Confirming the recovery of the remains of the deceased, spokesman of the Kwara state Police Command, SP Okasanmi Ajayi, said: “All available human and material resources to the Command were deployed in the effort to get the deceased rescued alive, but unfortunately, the reverse was the case, as he died as a result of severe injuries to his left hand inflicted on him by the kidnappers in the struggle to subdue him.”
“Information was received from the team of vigilante and local hunters coopted into the search for the victim to the effect that his dead body has been found deep inside the bush. The body has been handed over to the family by the police, because of the decomposing condition of the body.
“Effort is still ongoing to arrest the culprits as we assure the people of Kwara State that the Command will not relent in her effort to see that criminality of any nature and shape is brought down to a minimal level before, during and after the yuletide period in the State.”
However, sources close to the family said the kidnappers had received part payment of the ransom, but they fled the scene immediately they noticed the victim was dead .
So far, Insecurity, banditry, Kidnapping, armed robberies have been rampant in Kwara South Senatorial District as lives of the people remain under serious threat, even as farmers could no longer go to their farms for fear of being kidnapped.
In the last three months , more than five incidences of kidnapping and banditry have been reported across Kwara South, including kidnapping of families and children of a traditional rulers.