Abducted Ibadan farmer, Wole Agboola has been killed by kidnappers after collecting a ransom of N2m from his family.
Agboola’s decomposing remains have been recovered from the bush in Aba-Odo on Monday, January 11, by the police a few miles from where he was abducted and later deposited at the morgue by the family..
Six men, suspected to be herdsmen dressed in military camouflage had abducted the University of Ibadan graduate on his piggery/fish farm located at Nagbede village via Aba-odo in Oyo on Monday, December 28, 2020.
A family source said they were expecting the release of Agboola four days after the ransom was paid but he could not be found, forcing the Police to embark on a search of the nearby forest where the body was later found.
The deceased was abducted on his farm at Aba-odo Area, Olukitibi Village, Akinyele local government, Ibadan on December 28, 2020.
A brother to the deceased, Olakunle Agboola, confirmed the killing of the farmer, adding that ransom was paid for the release.
Kunle said: “My brother, Wole Agboola was killed after a huge ransom was paid and we later found his body inside the bush near Aba Odo yesterday (Monday) at 6pm just a bit close to where he was abducted.”
Pastor of the church where the deceased worshipped, Reverend Boladale Ige, in a message suspected he might have been killed shortly after he was kidnapped.
The message entitled “Painful exit of a dear brother,” reads “Romans 14:8-For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.
“It is with a heavy heart, that I announce the painful and sudden passing of our brother, Elder Wole Agboola, who, unfortunately, fell to the cruel hands of kidnappers on Monday, 28th December 2020 on his farm.
“Despite all efforts, it appears his abductors had killed him shortly after his kidnap. This, for us, as a church family and for his immediate family, is a very painful and sad occurrence.
“We must nevertheless encourage one another at this time to hold firmly to God’s infinite words, and look to HIM, keeping our gaze on our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
“The occurrence of the past two weeks is a sad reality of the state of insecurity in our nation, Nigeria. We remain fastidious, praying for the deliverance of our nation and people from the grips of the enemy. And we shall be victorious.
“As we mourn, we will not mourn as those who do not have hope we believe in God, and we know, our brother has gone to heaven, to be with his Lord Jesus whom he loved dearly and served passionately.
“We, who remain, must remain steadfast, looking unto Jesus, without fear or oppression. For we have victory in Christ Jesus, and we know, He is able to keep us all, until His Coming.
“Mathew 10:vs 28.. ‘And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.’
“God is the avenger. We take comfort in our God and the Holy Spirit. And believe we will all meet on Resurrection Day. Please remember to pray for his wife and children and the church family.”
Meanwhile, friends of the deceased have taken to Facebook to mourn him. One Olaniyan Alphonso, said Agboola lost his father last year.
“Hmmm we met on this street, He became my customer and then a friend. We’ve met a couple of times, we discuss business, a man full of ideas… I was to attend his father’s burial in July but distance and covid, perhaps it would have been a great moment together.
Sad Shocked! Prayed, paid and yet killed! Sad! We failed him! the system do; we are all a party to this! Engr. Seyi Makinde! This is not NorthEast, what is going on!? Why!? Enough! God! Rest in peace my brother, Agboola Oluwole we failed you!” he wrote.
