Chief David Obadofin, a well-known cashew farmer and community leader from the rural village of Aghara in Kogi State’s Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, who was kidnapped on Easter Sunday, has reportedly passed away in the kidnappers’ hideout.
Twelve days after being abducted, he was said to have passed away last Thursday.
Temidayo Elewa, a woman who was also kidnapped with him, has since been released.
She was released in Obajana in the state’s Lokoja Local Government Area, where family members had brought her up on Saturday morning to receive medical care.
According to a source involved in the negotiations, the kidnappers decided to demand N2 million in exchange for the release of the two victims when they realised that Pa. Obadofin was growing too weak.
Temidayo was separated to a different place while being blindfolded. Pa Obadofin sadly passed away before the ransom could be paid.
The gunmen released Temidayo on Thursday after becoming aware of the approach of a search team made up of hunters, vigilantes, and some Fulani volunteers.
Between Thursday and Friday, she wandered the jungle on her own before coming across a sawing machine operator who eventually guided her to safety.
Her assertions that the search party had apprehended one of the individuals who had assisted in efforts to recover Pa Obadofin’s body could not be verified.
“We saw the lady and took her to hospital. We picked her up in a village behind Obajana. As for Baba, we know he is dead but we are still combing the jungle for his remains.
“We will not let go because we are confident that God will guide our efforts to the root of this disaster. We will not let go or give up,” an anonymous source involved in the operations said.
Obadofin and Temidayo were abducted on Easter Monday from his farm residence in Aghara at 11pm. The gunmen shot Madam Toyin Onare, a widow who was on the farm as a labourer.
Toyin was rushed to the hospital in Kabba, about 35 minutes drive away, where she was confirmed dead on arrival.
There were concerns about Obadofin’s chances of survival as he was said to be on medication for age-related diseases aside from the trauma and rough treatment he received from the gunmen.
The next day, the gunmen got in touch and demanded an N60m ransom.
When reached, SP William Aya, the Kogi State Police Command’s public relations officer, claimed he was unaware of the farmer’s passing but promised to learn more.
