Afenifere Youth Leader pleads as kidnappers demand ₦100m ransom

In a voice recording, a conversation between the family and the kidnappers reveals the tense negotiations.

Prince Ojajuni, speaking in distress, stated that the kidnappers had demanded ₦100 million and had already shot him in the buttock.

During the call, one of the family members spoke with a kidnappers, who pleaded for a reduction in the ransom amount.

“Please, what can you do for us? How do we pay?” the family member asked.

Struggling to negotiate, the family member explained, “We don’t have that kind of money. We are planning to sell a small piece of family land in the village. If we sell it, we’ll see how much we can raise. How do we bring the money? Where do we pay?”

The kidnapper insisted, “You must pay in cash.”

The family pleaded further, “Please, can you accept ₦10 million? That’s all we can raise.”

The kidnapper refused, saying, “God forbid bad thing. If you continue talking nonsense, I swear to Almighty God you won’t hear from me again. The last price my boss gave me is ₦100 million, but if you can raise something better, let me know.”

As the family continued pleading, the kidnappers threatened to harm Prince Ojajuni further.

In another conversation, Prince Ojajuni spoke with a senior family member.

He explained, “When the network issues started on Sunday, I even wanted to travel that day. But something told me not to go, so I canceled my flight and rescheduled it for Monday at 6:15 a.m. However, MTN and GTB started having network problems. My meeting was at 10:00 a.m. at the Abuja Chamber of Commerce, and the Director-General called to say they were expecting me. So, I left home. It was between Ondo and Kabba that they shot at us. I’m bleeding now.”

When asked if the kidnappers blocked the road, Prince Ojajuni replied, “No, they just shot at us. I’m bleeding, and they’re demanding ₦100 million.”

A family member responded, “Where are we going to get that kind of money? Can I speak to the leader?”

The family member pleaded, “Sir, please, what can you do for us? I’ve been calling his number since the day before yesterday. I don’t know what’s happening, and I’m not okay. He has already told me what happened, but that amount—where are we going to get it in this Nigerian economy? He has no money. He has nothing. Please, reduce the amount.”

The kidnap leader responded, “If he has nothing, listen carefully. I’m not forcing you to look for money. But if you don’t have it, I still have bullets. I already shot him once, and I can add another bullet to make it three.”

The family begged, “Please, for Christ’s sake, don’t harm him. What can we do to reduce the amount?”

The kidnapper revealed a shocking detail, claiming that someone had paid them ₦50 million to abduct and kill Ojajuni.

“Let me tell you the secret. Someone paid us ₦50 million to kidnap him and kill him. We were instructed to cut off his head, his manhood, and remove his eyes for them to collect. If you don’t pay, forget about this man.”

In the desperate conversation, Prince Ojajuni urged his family to reach out to Nigerian human rights activist and lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, for help.

“They have given me a 48-hour ultimatum. If the ransom is not paid, they will kill me. This is my last chance,” Ojajuni said.

Previously, it was reported that the National President of the Afenifere National Youths Council, Ojajuni, had been kidnapped.

The group announced the abduction in a statement, noting that Ojajuni was taken on Monday, February 17, 2025.

Abiodun Aderohunmu, the National Secretary of the Afenifere National Youths Council, said the kidnappers had demanded a ransom of ₦100 million.

He said, “The Afenifere National Youths Council is deeply saddened to announce the kidnapping of its National President, Prince Eniola Joseph Ojajuni, in Abuja, Nigeria.

“The unfortunate incident occurred yesterday, and the kidnappers have demanded a ransom of ₦100,000,000.

“During the kidnapping, Prince Ojajuni sustained a bullet wound on his buttock.

“We are deeply concerned about his safety and well-being, and we urge the kidnappers to release him unharmed.

“Prince Ojajuni is a prominent figure in Nigerian and a strong advocate for youth empowerment and development.

“We call on the Nigerian authorities to take immediate action to ensure Prince Ojajuni’s safe release. We also appeal to the general public to provide any information that may lead to his rescue.

“The Afenifere National Youths Council will continue to work tirelessly to ensure Prince Ojajuni’s safe return and to advocate for the safety and security of all Nigerians.”

“The kidnap happened on February 17. They shot the President twice. And he has bullet wounds. They are saying ₦100 million or nothing,” a member of the group told journalists on Thursday.