After spending 26 days in captivity, the kidnappers of four Odo-Ere residents have reportedly notified the families of the victims, demanding N30 million for their release.

According to family sources, the victims – Engr. Shina Ajere, Mr. Kehinde Afolabi, Damiola Ogun, and Omo Oloyan – were abducted during the December 28, 2025, attack on Odo-Ere, headquarters of Yagba West Local Government Area in Kogi State.

The family sources stated that the armed bandits have warned that no victim will be freed unless the ransom is paid in full.

Residents of the community also indicated that an unspecified number of other residents remain missing, with fears that more people may have been kidnapped from their farms.

A community member said, “Uncertainty still hangs in the air, as there are fears that more residents may have been abducted, with some families still accounting for missing relatives in the aftermath of the attack.”
Families of the victims lamented the huge ransom demanded.

“Where do we raise this amount by this time of the year?

The situation is getting more traumatic every day. Who will help us?” one family member asked.

The community appealed to the Kogi State Government and security agencies to intervene and rescue the victims.