The Ekiti Council of Elders has issued a passionate appeal for the immediate release of Professor Olorunfemi Olaofe, a 78-year-old former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Ekiti State University, who was kidnapped from his residence in Ado-Ekiti on July 9, 2024.
The kidnappers, armed bandits, are demanding a ransom of N50 million for his safe return.
The Ekiti Council of Elders is urging the kidnappers to release Professor Olaofe, a respected academic and elder statesman, due to his advanced age and contributions to the community.
The council is also working with the relevant authorities to ensure his safe release.
“Our esteemed member, Prof. Olorunfemi Olaofe, a retired University don and former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Ekiti State University was brazenly kidnapped from his residence on Tuesday, 9th July 2024, and remains in captivity as of this moment. This has left us deeply anxious and fearful,” the council said.
The president of the council, Prof. Joseph Oluwasanmi made the call in Ado Ekiti while addressing journalists after the group’s interface with the state Police Commissioner, Mr Adeniran Akinwale and Special Assistant to the Governor on Security, Brig. Gen. Ebenezer Ogundana.
The meeting was convened to get an update on the kidnapped university don.
Prof. Oluwasanmi also for the restructuring of government approach to security in the country.
The council while lamenting the insecurity in the country, admonished security agents to employ technology to tackle insecurity and apprehend criminal elements.
Prof. Oluwasanmi said the council is concerned about security situation in the state and worried about the recent kidnap of their member.
“Since 2016 when Ekin Council of Elders came up with a memo on the problems of herdsmen in the State, the Council has remained gravely concerned about the deteriorating security situation in our state.
“Despite our proactive measures, including the Security Summit of 2022, the highlight of which was to create awareness on the deteriorating security situation as well as proffer collective proactive measures to stem the trend, the security landscape continues to decline, with incidents of kidnapping and killings occurring across the state.
However, the Council chairman who appreciated the efforts of the state government and the security operatives, implored all stakeholders to unite to ensure the safe release of the Professor and to eradicate insecurity in the State.
“This unfortunate incident, coupled with the previous tragic kidnapping and loss of our member, the late Chief Abiodun Ajayi, underscores the urgent need the comprehensive structural reforms in the approach to security. We firmly believe that granting state governments the 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 are on our bended knees for any method that can be used to find the Professor who has given his all to our society.
“We do not presume to know more than the security experts, but time is of essence for us to find the elderly man alive, hence our anxiety!,” the Council said.
Prof. Oluwasanmi who disclosed that the council has regrettably decided to suspend many of its activities until further notice due to the distressing events, urged the Federal Government and all stakeholders to act decisively to address these pressing challenges.
The state’s Commissioner of Police, CP Akinwale who was represented by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr Edwin Igoche said serious investigation is ongoing regarding the incident .
According to him, “It is not something that is hidden, it is something that at the end of the day, will be glaring to everyone to know and see.
“The investigation is in progress about this. Like I said, Ekiti State in terms of crime is one of the least in the country. With synergy to all other security agents, especially, Amotekun Corps, the hunters and the rest, we are doing everything humanly possible to get him off the hook. Like the SA to the governor said, very soon, you will be seeing the results”.
For his part, the Special Adviser to the governor on Security, Brig. Gen. Ogundana (retd) said it is unfortunate that the incident happened within the environment where it happened.
“It was avoidable, but it has happened. Since the incident was reported, all the security agencies have been on their toes looking out, within the town. Some suspects are being interrogated as we speak now, but it is not everything that I can declare in the open now.
“Our people are presently combing the forest looking any trace that lead to the man’s rescue. So, our hope is that he is rescued and we pray that very soon he will be released by his abductors. Security agents are doing their best and working round the clock to get him back home,” Ogundana said.
