As grief and mourning have continued to trail the death of Dr AbdulRauf Adekunle Adeniji (popularly called Congo), a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and National Director of Administration of the party, who was kidnapped and later confirmed dead in captivity under heart-wrenching circumstances.
It had earlier been reported that Adeniji, a former Ife Central Local Government Chairman and indigene of Ile-Ife, Osun State, died in the hands of his abductors.
Emerging details from close associates and community stakeholders have now revealed the devastating ordeal that led to his death.
According to reliable sources privy to the sequence of events, Adeniji was kidnapped in late January alongside Prince Akinropo Adesiyan, his wife, and one of their sons at the residence of Prince Adesiyan.
During their forced movement into the kidnappers’ den, tragedy struck when Adesiyan’s wife, unable to keep up with the pace, was gunned down in the presence of her husband, child, and Adeniji.
The killing reportedly left Adeniji deeply traumatised and was said to had slumped and died two hours after witnessing the murder, overwhelmed by emotional distress, and worsened by his close relationship with the Adesiyan family.
Shockingly, the kidnappers concealed the news of his death, continuing ransom negotiations as if he were alive.
Prominent Ife sons, including Mr Ademola Wasiu (Double Dee) and Mr Olusola Olajire (Solar), spearheaded frantic fundraising efforts after the abductors demanded a ransom of N50 million.
Community members responded swiftly. When the time came to deliver the ransom, it was Mr Wasiu who braved the trip to the kidnappers’ den and despite threats to detain him, he negotiated courageously, only to be assured falsely that all hostages were alive and in good condition.
It was not until the eventual release of the remaining captives that the bitter truth emerged that Adeniji had died long before negotiations concluded, this development has left the Ife community in mourning and disbelief.
The tragedy has also ignited strong criticism against the APC at both state and national levels as Prof. Yemi Adediwura, a prominent APC member and indigene of Ile-Ife, condemned the party’s perceived neglect of the ancient town and its silence over Adeniji’s abduction.
He lamented that despite Ife’s consistent loyalty to the party, the ancient city has suffered systemic marginalisation for over a decade.
According to him, the APC’s failure to react promptly or mobilise efforts for Adeniji’s rescue was not only disappointing but also reflective of a broader pattern of disregard.
“How does a party that cannot protect its own leaders expect to convince the people to vote again?” Adediwura queried, calling for urgent introspection ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial elections.
Adding their voice, the Osun Democrats for Democracy (ODD) described the handling of the incident by the APC as “callous and shameful.”
In a statement signed by its Director of Operations, Adeyefa Adeyemo, the group accused the party of indifference, deceit, and misinformation.
ODD revealed that even when Adeniji’s corpse had been discovered by security operatives, APC leaders falsely announced that he had been released.
It took three days of mounting pressure before the party reversed its position and admitted to his death — a move civil society groups described as a betrayal of public trust.
“Hon. Adeniji was more than a party man. He was a committed son of Ife who deserved better — both in life and in death,” the statement read.
In his reaction, the Governor of Osun State, Sen. Ademola Adeleke, expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss.
In a statement signed by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the governor extended condolences to the Ooni of Ife, the APC family, and the people of Ile-Ife.
“Adeniji’s death is a great loss not just to his immediate community, but to Osun State and the nation. The circumstances surrounding his demise are painful, and my heart goes out to his loved ones,” the Governor said