Gunmen suspected to be kidnaper on Thursday kidnapped former Deputy Vice Chancellor Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, (EKSU) Professor Femi Olaofe in his residence in Ado-Ekiti, capital of Ekiti State.
Olaofe, a native of Are-Ekiti, Irepodun/Ifelodun local government area of Ekiti State was a Professor of Industrial Chemistry before his recent retirement from the Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti.
An Eye witness account told our Correspondent that Professor Olaofe, had returned to Ado-Ekiti on Monday afternoon after a short visit to Lagos, where he had gone to see his children.
The source who would not want to be mentioned said ” We saw him on Monday when he returned from his trip to Lagos. We greeted and exchanged pleasantries. We also saw his gateman, who lives with him. As a retired Professor, his house is very calm and always quite.
“We have been neighbours for a long time. Anytime he drives out he will always stop to say hello to us.
“On Tuesday, we noticed that the gate of his house was left opened. This was strange, because the gate is always closed. We approached the gate with the intention to call the security man to shut the gate. We called the security man, there was no answer.
” We made our way into the living room, as we got closer, we noticed the door to the living room was widely opened. We shouted Professor thrice! There was no response. We decided to go around the compound, and yet we couldn’t find anyone.
” At this point we became suspicious that something had happened. We thereafter, decided to approach the Divisional Police Station, Housing Estate where we made a report.
It was later we had a report of how some kidnappers came into his house and demanded for the key of his car. We learnt that he was taken away in the car along with his security man.
The development which prompted a three-man team of Are-Ekiti Development Association (AREDAA) in his hometown led by the President, Engr. James Adebayo, met with the Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Command, Mr. Adeniran Akinwale on the sad development.
It was learnt that at the meeting, Engr. Adebayo conveyed the message of the monarch of Alare of Are-Ekiti, Oba Boluade Adebiyi, and the entire people of Are Ekiti to the Commissioner of Police.
According to a statement signed by AREDAA Public Relations Officer, Hon. Odunayo Ehinafe, said” We have come to meet with you on the sad incident of the kidnap of our illustrous son and a Professor of repute, Professor Femi Olaofe. We received the the news of our son kidnap with sadness.
” Professor Olaofe was kidnapped in his residence in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday after he returned from a short trip to Lagos. On behalf of the Kabiyesi Alare of Are Ekiti, AREDAA and the entire people of our community, we wish to charge you to do everything humanly possible to bring Olaofe back home alive.
In his response at the meeting, the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police confirmed that they have received the report of the kidnap incident of Professor Olaofe on Tuesday at his residence in Ado Ekiti.
He said” I want to confirm to you, the report of the kidnap of Professor Femi Olaofe, a former Vice-chancellor of Ekiti State University which took place in his residence at the State Housing Estate, Oke-Ila Ado Ekiti.
“The Ekiti Police Command had commenced investigations into the matter. We want to inform you that, my men have recovered Professor’s Olaofe personal vehicle in which he was kidnapped from his residence.
“The vehicle was recovered in a bush along Oke-Ila-Afao road, where it was abandoned by the kidnappers.
Akinwale also told the team that the Ekiti Police Command has also received information on the demand for a N50m ransom by the kidnappers. So with this development, we can confirm to you that this is a case of kidnapping.
The CP assured the family and relations of the victim, that the Ekiti State Police Command would do everything within their powers to get him back home safely.
“My only concern is that, as an elderly man, we must pray to God to grant him the strength and energy to wade through the rigours” he concluded
Sons and daughters of Are-Ekiti both at home and in the Diaspora have continued to call on the Ekiti State Police Command, the Nigerian Social and Civil Security Defence Corps, Amotekun and all other security agencies to join hands together to ensure that their son is brought back home alive.