In a chilling repeat of a past ordeal, prominent Ibadan businessman and philanthropist, Joshua Olakunle Awotona, was abducted from his home in the late hours of March 30, 2025, in a violent attack that claimed the life of his 26-year-old son, Yemi Awotona, and three security guards.
The 52-year-old entrepreneur, born on May 7, 1973, is widely known across Nigeria for his business acumen, political connections, and tireless efforts in community development. His abduction marks the second time he has been targeted by kidnappers in under six months, with the first incident occurring in November 11, 2024 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Sagamu.
According to eyewitnesses and preliminary police reports, the attackers struck shortly after midnight, scaling the high walls of the Awotona residence in Ibadan and disabling the property’s advanced surveillance systems before launching a calculated and ruthless assault.
Armed with high-grade weapons, the intruders fatally shot three security guards stationed at different points on the property. The sound of gunfire jolted the household awake, triggering chaos inside.
In a heart-wrenching moment, Yemi Awotona, attempted to confront the assailants in a desperate effort to protect his family. He was shot at close range and died before emergency responders could arrive.
The gunmen stormed the home, forcibly dragging Joshua Olakunle Awotona from his bedroom. Witnesses say he was tied up, blindfolded, and thrown into a waiting black SUV before the assailants vanished into the night.
By morning, Nigeria woke up to shocking headlines: “Business Mogul Joshua Awotona Abducted Again—Son Slain in Attack.” The news sparked national outrage, with tributes pouring in for Yemi and calls intensifying for stronger security reforms.
The Nigeria Police Force swiftly cordoned off the crime scene, recovering spent shell casings and bloodied furniture as evidence. A joint task force, including operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS), began an intensive manhunt for the perpetrators.
Awotona was held captive for six harrowing days in a remote forest location believed to be near the Osun-Oyo state border. Sources within the police confirmed that intelligence gathering and local informant networks were instrumental in tracing the kidnappers’ hideout.
In a well-coordinated dawn raid on April 6, a combined security team rescued Awotona from a shack where he had been chained to a bedframe. He was found weak, injured, and emotionally devastated but alive.
Though physically rescued, the trauma of losing his son and loyal guards has left a lasting mark on the once-vibrant businessman. Close associates say he has since withdrawn from public life, only re-emerging to advocate for citizen safety, private security training, and youth protection programs.
“Joshua Awotona is no longer just a name of influence, it is now a symbol of survival and loss,” said one family friend. “He has endured what no father should.”
This is not the first time Awotona has survived a kidnapping. In November 11, 2024, he was abducted near the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Sagamu and rescued days later by security forces in a forest in Sagamu, Ogun State. That incident had already raised concerns about the rising threat of organized crime against high-profile individuals in Nigeria.