Seven farmers have been abducted by gunmen in Itaogbolu, Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The Ondo State Commander of Amotekun Corps, Adetunji Adeleye, confirmed the incident on Monday, July 28, 2025.

Adeleye, who disclosed that the farmers were kidnapped on Saturday, said Amotekun officers have been deployed to the forests in search of the victims.

Adeleye said: “I can confirm the incident. Our men have been in the forests and are still there.

“I was there yesterday (Sunday) and we are hopeful that they will soon be rescued.”

The Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olushola Ayanlade, also confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade added that efforts were ongoing to rescue the victims.

Meanwhile, a source disclosed that the kidnappers made contact with some families of the victims and demanded N100 million for their release.

One of the sources who craved anonymity told NAN that the victims were on the farm harvesting palm fruits when they were abducted by gunmen.

He said: “They went to the farm to harvest palm fruits when they were abducted on Saturday.

“We didn’t hear from them until yesterday evening (Sunday) when the kidnappers contacted one of the family members, demanding a ransom of N100 million for their release.

“We’re still negotiating with their abductors.”