The community of Emure, Ekiti State, is reeling in shock and grief after the remains of 19-year-old Shile Ogunmolasuyi were recovered on Sunday.
Shile, a secondary school leaver, was kidnapped along with her mother, Yemi Ogunmolasuyi, and another woman, Caroline Taiwo, on August 31.
The kidnappers, numbering seven, had ambushed the vehicle transporting the victims to Akure after a family event in Emure, killing the driver, Oluwole Taiwo.
Shile was reportedly gang-raped to death by the kidnappers, while her mother and Caroline Taiwo were released on Tuesday, September 3, after a ransom of N10m was paid.
The ransom was delivered at a spot on the Owo-Ikare-Benin Road in Owo, Ondo State, and the captives were freed at around 1:30 AM on Wednesday. However, Shile’s fate remained unknown until her decomposing body was found in the bush near Ago Panu village in Ondo State on Sunday.
The search for Shile’s body was led by members of the Amotekun corps and Agro Marshal in Emure, following the release of her mother. The discovery of Shile’s remains has sent shockwaves through the community, with many calling for increased security measures to prevent such incidents.
This is not the first time kidnappings have occurred in the Emure-Eporo Road area. On January 29, five pupils, three female teachers, and a driver from the Apostolic Faith Children School were abducted, while on July 13, the wife of a retiree, Mrs. Atinuke Adanikin, was kidnapped in the same area.
Confirming the incident, a member of Amotekun Corps in Emure, who craved anonymity, told Africa Health Report, (AHR), that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the criminals.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety and security of residents in the area, with many demanding action from the authorities to prevent further kidnappings and violence.
