A retired Nigeria Customs Service officer, Emmanuel Owolabi, has reunited with his family nearly a month after armed men whisked him away from his hometown, ending weeks of anxiety and behind-the-scenes negotiations.
His release followed sustained community efforts and intense mediation, with sources confirming that an undisclosed ransom was eventually paid to secure his freedom.
Those involved in the process described the outcome as a relief after days of uncertainty and fear.
Confirming the development, a prominent traditional leader in Ora-Igbomina, Dr Yemi Farounbi, said Owolabi was released safely and had begun receiving care.
He praised residents and intermediaries who worked tirelessly to ensure the former officer returned alive.
According to a source familiar with the operation, Owolabi was handed over late on Monday in a forested area near Oro Ago, a community in Kwara State.
“What mattered most was saving his life. Everyone pulled together to make that happen,” the source said.
The abduction had sparked outrage after gunmen invaded Ora, a border community between Osun and Kwara states, and seized the retired officer during an evening attack.
The assailants reportedly escaped through nearby bushes, heightening security concerns in the area.
Owolabi’s wife, Titilayo, earlier recounted how the incident unfolded outside their home, saying she initially mistook the gunshots for hunting activity.
“By the time I realised what was happening, they had taken my husband away,” she said in a previous account.
The attack was further marred by the killing of a local chief who encountered the gunmen while returning from his farm, compounding the community’s grief and anger.
Meanwhile, residents say the incident underscores growing fears over kidnapping along inter-state corridors.
Community leaders have renewed calls for stronger security presence, warning that rural towns remain vulnerable to organised criminal groups.
As Owolabi recovers, locals insist the focus must now shift to preventing a repeat.
“We cannot celebrate alone,” a community elder said. “Authorities must act decisively to protect lives and restore confidence.”