2 held captive after delivering N10m ransom to kidnappers

Tuesday, February 10, 2026 - Two relatives of five abducted women in Erinmope-Ekiti, Moba Local Government Area of Ekiti State, have reportedly been taken hostage by kidnappers, bringing the total number of family members in captivity to seven.

Gunmen had invaded the community on January 24, 2026, abducting five women, including a nursing mother, a pregnant woman and three others. The abductors were said to have demanded a ransom of N100 million for their release.

According to the family, two men — identified as Soliu Mohammad and Soliu Ibrahim — were seized after attempting to deliver N10 million to the kidnappers following negotiations to reduce the ransom demand.

The victims were reportedly directed to a location in Orun-Ago, Omu-Aran, before being instructed to proceed to Idofin in Oke-Ero Local Government Area of Kwara State, where they were allegedly held.

Speaking in a telephone interview, the head of the family, Alhaji Muhammad Saliu Okanlawon, also known as Elebenla, said extended family members had contributed funds to raise the N10 million after appealing for a reduction from the initial N100 million demand.

“We took N10m to the kidnappers last Friday, February 6, 2026, at a location in Orun-Ago, Omu-Aran, but we were later directed to Idofin in Oke-Ero Local Government Area of Kwara State,” he said.

“Our family has been traumatised by this incident. We struggled to raise the N10m with the hope that the kidnappers would show mercy and release the five earlier abducted members of our family.

“We were thrown into deeper pain when we received a call that the two brothers who took the ransom had also been held hostage. They said the money was too small despite our pleas.

“We are appealing to the government to come to our aid. One of the victims is nine months pregnant, and you can imagine the trauma she is going through. It is indeed a painful experience for the family.”

Okanlawon called on security agencies and government authorities to urgently intervene and secure the safe release of all seven captives. As of the time of filing this report, security officials had not issued an official statement on the incident.