BREAKING: Abducted AAUA staff regains freedom

August 10, 2025 by Tosin Tope, Akure

• …family raised huge ransom to set victim free from kidnappers den – sources 

Omoniyi Eleyinmi, a faculty officer at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State, has regained his freedom nearly a week after being abducted.

Eleyinmi, who works in the Department of Education, was released by his captors on Sunday, a development confirmed by a university colleague who thanked God for his safe return.

A family source revealed that Eleyinmi’s release followed the payment of a substantial ransom, and he was freed near a boundary town in Ondo State.

“My brother, a ransom was raised and paid to the kidnappers before they could release him to us,” the source revealed.

When contacted, the state police spokesman, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said he could not immediately confirm the release but promised to provide an update. 

Ayanlade’s reaction was being awaited as at the time of filing this report. 

The police have consistently maintained opposition to ransom payments in kidnap cases.

Eleyinmi was abducted last Monday while returning to his Supare-Akoko residence from work.

Sources said the kidnappers initially demanded N100 million from the family but later reduced it to N7 million after negotiations.

Read Also: JUST IN: Police confirm abduction of AAUA senior staff in Ondo

Move by the development, the AAUA Alumni Association of which Eleyinmi is a member immediately launched an appeal for donations to raise the ransom. 

The association’s Global Publicity Secretary, O’Seun Ogunsakin, asked the members and Nigerians to donate within 24 hours to secure his release, providing a Polaris Bank account for contributions.

“Distinguished Alumni, I am sure that the majority of you must have heard the news of the kidnap of one of us, Niyi Eleyinmi, who is the Faculty Officer of the Faculty of Education, AAUA.

“Eleyinmi was kidnapped on Monday, and the kidnappers have demanded a sum of seven million Naira (₦7,000,000). It is on this note that I want to passionately appeal to you to donate towards securing the safe release of Niyi from his captors,” he said in a statement.