Despite N5m ransom payment, kidnappers are yet to release Okasime Olowojoba, a ward leader of the Labour Party in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State.
Olowojoba was abducted on April 26, 2025, while returning to Igarra with his wife, children, and housemaid after a trip to Auchi. Despite the payment of a ransom, he remains in captivity.
According to his family, the abductors initially demanded N50 million and have since remained silent after collecting what the N5.3m they managed to gather.
His younger brother, Omozame Olowojoba, told reporters that the family is becoming increasingly anxious, especially as no further communication has been received from the kidnappers.
“Today marks eight days since they last contacted us. They collected the ransom on Tuesday and called us the following Wednesday, demanding N30 million, stating that the N5.3 million we gave them the previous day was for feeding. The next day, Thursday, they called again to demand another N5 million, which we no longer have. Since then, they have not contacted us,” he said.
Omozame also recalled speaking directly with his brother the day before the family delivered the N5.3 million. Since then, all efforts to reach the kidnappers have failed.
He described the emotional toll the incident has taken on the victim’s wife and children.
“We are all very worried. We are appealing to the state government and security agencies to help rescue our brother. We also appeal to his abductors to release him so he can reunite with his family. He is a young man struggling to take care of them,” he added.
The situation has drawn concern from both the local Labour Party community and residents of Igarra, who are calling for renewed efforts by authorities to secure Olowojoba’s release.
