Reports reaching us from Channels TV.allege that former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Olu Falae, has been kidnapped,
Mr. Falae, 76, the report said, was abducted from his farm in Ondo state.
Details of the incident are still sketchy.
Mr. Falae was also Nigeria’s former minister of finance.
Since his retirement from service, the former minister had lived in Akure, the Ondo state capital.
UPDATE
the spokesman for the state Social Democratic Party, Mr. Remi Olayowola, said the abductors had contacted the family and demanded N100m as ransom.
He said, “The kidnappers have called baba’s wife and they demanded N100m, which they said must be paid between Monday and Tuesday before he could be released. They said baba is in their custody hale and hearty, but the ransom must be paid before they would free him.”
The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Wole Ogodo, said it had not been established whether the septuagenarian was kidnapped or not but confirmed that some Fulani herdsmen had invaded the farm and attacked Falae and his workers.
He said, “We cannot say it is a case of kidnapping yet because the information I have said some Fulani herdsmen invaded the farm, beat up everybody on the farm, including Chief Falae. Some of the workers were injured by the attackers.”
He however announced that a team of 50 officers has been deployed to search for the Chieftain.
Meanwhile, some eminent Nigerians have condemned the kidnap of Falae, calling for his immediate and unconditional release.
Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye, who expressed shock over the kidnap, described the development as unfortunate. “I pray no harm is done to the man.”
Wondering why such a peaceful man like Falae, whom he said eschews violence in his doings, would be a victim of kidnapping, Durojaiye said: “Politics apart, Chief Olu Falae is a man of peace, not known for violence. I don’t know who is safe in this country any longer but I have confidence in the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government with the cooperation of the security agents to take necessary steps on the development.”
SDP chieftain in Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, called for unconditional release of Falae whom he described as a statesman who has dedicated his life to ensuring good life and social justice for all Nigerians, irrespective of tribe, ethnic, religion or political leanings.
An Afenifere chieftain, Yinka Odumakin, said the kidnap of Falae and traditional ruler of Ilu Abo has added a frightening dimension to the state of insecurity in Nigeria.
sources
Channels TV
http://www.premiumtimesng.com/