Kwara LGA Chairman Admits Secret Ransom Payments to Bandits

The Executive Chairman of Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State, Mallam Garba Olayinka Lukman Agbelere, has admitted that local governments secretly contribute money towards ransom payments to secure the release of kidnapped victims.

Agbelere disclosed this during a telephone conversation with SaharaReporters on Friday while responding to allegations that he asked the family of four people abducted in Abangbe Village to raise the ₦50 million ransom demanded by their captors.

The four victims, identified as Abike, Semiu, Sofiat and Ramadan, were reportedly kidnapped by suspected bandits on October 25, 2026.

The LGA chairman, however, denied telling the victims’ relatives to pay the ransom, explaining that his visit to the community was intended to sympathise with residents over the incident and encourage them to remain alert.

He also argued that the government could not provide security in every location, urging residents to take additional steps to protect their communities against attacks.

Despite denying the allegation, Agbelere confirmed that he planned to send the ward chairman to provide financial assistance to the affected family.

He further revealed that contributing towards ransom payments was something local governments sometimes did to help families whose relatives had been kidnapped.

According to him, the local government could not afford to pay the full amount demanded by kidnappers but could contribute towards helping families raise the money.

The chairman also explained that such payments were usually handled secretly because the government did not want members of the public to know about its involvement in ransom negotiations.

He said the local government had supported families facing similar situations in the past but would not disclose the amount contributed in individual cases.

Agbelere’s revelation has drawn attention to the practice of government officials allegedly providing financial assistance towards ransom payments despite the country’s laws against the practice.

The Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, criminalises the payment of ransom to kidnappers and prescribes a minimum 15-year prison sentence for anyone found guilty of the offence.

Meanwhile, the families of the four abducted residents have continued to appeal to the government and security agencies to intervene and ensure their loved ones regain their freedom.

They are seeking urgent assistance to secure the victims’ release as concerns grow over their continued captivity.