Ado-Ekiti—The Ekiti Council of Elders, ECE, yesterday, lamented the abduction of one of its members and a former deputy vice-chancellor of Ekiti State University, EKSU, Prof. Olorunfemi Olaofe, 78, who has been in captivity for over two weeks.
The council president, Prof. Joseph Oluwasanmi expressed the concern of members while addressing journalists at its emergency meeting with heads of security agencies at the Elder’s house in Ado-Ekiti.
Olaofe was kidnapped two weeks ago at his residence in Ado-Ekiti by daredevil gun-wielding bandits, who placed ransoms of N50 million on him
Oluwasanmi appealed to the state governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji to devise means and ways of guaranteeing safe return of Prof. Olaofe.
His words: “Our esteemed member, Prof. Olaofe, a retired university don and former deputy vice-chancellor of Ekiti State University was brazenly kidnapped from his residence on July 9, 2024, and remains in captivity as of this moment. This has left us deeply anxious and fearful.
“While we appreciate the efforts of the state government and the security operatives, we implore all stakeholders to unite to ensure the safe release of the Professor and to eradicate insecurity in the state.
“This unfortunate incident underscores the urgent need for comprehensive structural reforms in the government’s approach to security. We firmly believe that granting state governments more authority, especially in security management, is vital.
“On precaution, we wonder where is the old system of finding a lost person, what of the new method of serial survey employing satellites, sniffer dogs, etc.
“We urge the Federal Government and all stakeholders to act decisively to address these pressing challenges.”
Reacting, Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Akinwale Adeniran said investigations were ongoing and promised to bring the perpetrators of such a dastardly act to justice.
Adeniran, represented by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Edwin Igoche, urged members of the public to refrain from hoarding useful information so that the agency can rid the state of criminal elements.
“There’s no doubt that Ekiti is the most peaceful state in Nigeria. You can’t use this incident to judge the peaceful atmosphere of Ekiti and residents should be hopeful that the Professor will come out alive,” he added