The Chairman of Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State, Mallam Garba Olayinka Lukman Agbelere, has disclosed that local governments sometimes contribute money towards ransom payments to secure the release of kidnapped victims, but keep such interventions away from public knowledge.
Agbelere made the revelation during a telephone conversation while responding to allegations that he advised the family of four persons abducted in Abangbe Village to raise the ₦50 million ransom reportedly demanded by their captors.
The victims, identified as Abike, Semiu, Sofiat and Ramadan, were reportedly kidnapped by suspected bandits on October 25, 2026, in Abangbe Village, near Oke-Oyi, in Ilorin East Local Government Area.
The victims’ family had alleged that after approaching the local government secretariat for financial assistance and government intervention, they were advised to find a way to pay the ransom, as the government could not defeat the bandits at the moment.
However, the council chairman denied discussing the ransom demand with the family during his visit to the community. He explained that his visit was primarily to sympathise with the affected residents and encourage them to remain vigilant.
According to him, communities should also take responsibility for their security by organising local protection efforts, including contributing money to acquire weapons to defend themselves against attacks.
Agbelere maintained that government alone could not provide security everywhere, stressing the need for community participation in addressing insecurity.
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He, however, acknowledged that he intended to send the ward chairman to the affected family to offer financial assistance.
In a further disclosure, the council chairman admitted that the local government sometimes contributes towards ransom payments for kidnapped victims, although such financial interventions are deliberately kept confidential.
He said the government could not shoulder the entire ransom but could provide partial financial support to affected families.
The revelation has raised concerns about the involvement of public authorities in ransom payments and the decision to keep such interventions away from public scrutiny, particularly amid rising cases of kidnapping and insecurity across parts of Kwara State.
The disclosure also raises legal questions, as Nigeria’s Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, criminalises the transfer of funds, ransom payments or collusion with abductors and terrorists to secure the release of kidnapped persons. Section 14 provides for a minimum prison sentence of 15 years upon conviction.
Meanwhile, the families of the four abducted victims have continued to appeal to the government and security agencies to intervene and secure their safe release.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no confirmation of their release.
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