LGs secretly fund ransom payments to free kidnapped victims, Kwara chairman says

The Chairman of Ilorin East Local Government Area, Kwara State, Garba Olayinka Lukman Agbelere, has admitted that councils sometimes secretly contribute money towards ransom payments for kidnapped victims.

According to SaharaReporters, as republished by Alltimepost, Agbelere disclosed this while responding to allegations that he advised relatives of four kidnapped residents to raise ₦50 million.

“We can’t pay all the ransom; we can only contribute. This is what I have always done for people who have the same issues: to contribute towards helping them pay the ransom from the local government,” he said.

The victims were reportedly abducted on October 25 in Abangbe Village, near Oke-Oyi.

Agbelere denied discussing ransom payments with their relatives, insisting he only encouraged residents to remain vigilant.

He explained that government authorities could not provide security everywhere simultaneously.

The chairman acknowledged plans to offer financial assistance to the affected family through a ward chairman.

His disclosure raises questions about secret government involvement in ransom payments amid worsening insecurity.