The Ekiti Council of Elders has referred to as for the discharge of the kidnapped 78-year-old former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Ekiti State College, Prof. Olorunfemi Olaofe.
Prof. Olaofe was kidnapped from his dwelling in Ado-Ekiti on July 9, 2024 by armed bandits, who’re demanding a ransom of N50 million for his freedom.
“Our esteemed member, Prof. Olorunfemi Olaofe, a retired College don and former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Ekiti State College was openly kidnapped from his residence on Tuesday, ninth July 2024, and stays in captivity as of this second. This has left us deeply anxious and fearful,” the council stated.
The president of the council, Prof. Joseph Oluwasanmi made the decision in Ado Ekiti whereas addressing journalists after the group’s interface with the state Police Commissioner, Mr Adeniran Akinwale and Particular Assistant to the Governor on Safety, Brig. Gen. Ebenezer Ogundana.
The assembly was convened to get an replace on the kidnapped college don.
Prof. Oluwasanmi additionally for the restructuring of presidency strategy to safety within the nation.
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The council whereas lamenting the insecurity within the nation, admonished safety brokers to make use of know-how to deal with insecurity and apprehend prison components.
Prof. Oluwasanmi stated the council is worried about safety scenario within the state and apprehensive concerning the current kidnap of their member.
“Since 2016 when Ekin Council of Elders got here up with a memo on the issues of herdsmen within the State, the Council has remained gravely involved concerning the deteriorating safety scenario in our state.
“Regardless of our proactive measures, together with the Safety Summit of 2022, the spotlight of which was to create consciousness on the deteriorating safety scenario in addition to proffer collective proactive measures to stem the pattern, the safety panorama continues to say no, with incidents of kidnapping and killings occurring throughout the state.
Nonetheless, the Council chairman who appreciated the efforts of the state authorities and the safety operatives, implored all stakeholders to unite to make sure the protected launch of the Professor and to eradicate insecurity within the State.
“This unlucky incident, coupled with the earlier tragic kidnapping and lack of our member, the late Chief Abiodun Ajayi, underscores the pressing want the excellent structural reforms within the strategy to safety. We firmly consider that granting state governments the authority, particularly in safety administration, is important.
“On precaution, we marvel the place is the outdated system of discovering a misplaced particular person; what of the brand new technique of serial survey using satellites, sniffer canines, and so on. We’re on our bended knees for any technique that can be utilized to search out the Professor who has given his all to our society.
“We don’t presume to know greater than the safety consultants, however time is of essence for us to search out the aged man alive, therefore our nervousness!,” the Council stated.
Prof. Oluwasanmi who disclosed that the council has regrettably determined to droop a lot of its actions till additional discover because of the distressing occasions, urged the Federal Authorities and all stakeholders to behave decisively to handle these urgent challenges.
The state’s Commissioner of Police, CP Akinwale who was represented by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr Edwin Igoche stated critical investigation is ongoing relating to the incident .
In keeping with him, “It isn’t one thing that’s hidden, it’s one thing that on the finish of the day, might be obvious to everybody to know and see.
“The investigation is in progress about this. Like I stated, Ekiti State by way of crime is likely one of the least within the nation. With synergy to all different safety brokers, particularly, Amotekun Corps, the hunters and the remaining, we’re doing all the things humanly attainable to get him off the hook. Just like the SA to the governor stated, very quickly, you may be seeing the outcomes”.
For his half, the Particular Adviser to the governor on Safety, Brig. Gen. Ogundana (retd) stated it’s unlucky that the incident occurred inside the surroundings the place it occurred.
“It was avoidable, but it surely has occurred. Because the incident was reported, all the safety companies have been on their toes searching, inside the city. Some suspects are being interrogated as we communicate now, however it’s not all the things that I can declare within the open now.
“Our persons are presently combing the forest trying any hint that result in the person’s rescue. So, our hope is that he’s rescued and we pray that very quickly he might be launched by his abductors. Safety brokers are doing their finest and dealing around the clock to get him again dwelling,” Ogundana stated.
