Ekiti elders beg govt, police to rescue kidnapped EKSU ex-DVC

The President of Ekiti Council of Elders, Prof. Joseph Oluwasanmi, on Thursday, appealed to Ekiti State Government and security agencies to secure the release of kidnapped member and former Deputy Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Prof. Olorunfemi Olaofe, from captivity.

Oluwasanmi spoke in Ado Ekiti at a press conference addressed by the Council to appeal for intensified efforts to ensure the release of the retired university teacher, who was kidnapped from his residence in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, alongside his security guard on July 9, 2024.

Family sources had said the kidnappers contacted and initially demanded N50m which they later reduced before the victim could be set free.

The Elders Council President said, “Our esteemed member, Prof Olaofe, was brazenly kidnapped from his residence on Tuesday, July 9, and remains in captivity as of this moment, 25th July. This has left us deeply anxious and fearful.

“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 the essence for us to find the elderly man alive, hence our anxiety.

“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.”

Oluwasanmi, who said this was the second time its members had been kidnapped, lamented that such could discourage the senior citizens from the services and help they were still rendering to society in old age

He disclosed that the Elders’ Council, owing to the continuous stay of its member in the kidnappers’ den, had suspended indefinitely its activities which he said included care for people, saying, “It is a pity for the elders, it is a pity for the neighbours who could have benefitted”.

Similarly, the Nigeria Universities Pensioners Association, EKSU Chapter, in a statement on Thursday, appealed to security agents, particularly the police in Ekiti State and the state governor, Biodun Oyebanji, “to put all machinery in use in securing the release of the former DVC”.

EKSU NUPA, in the statement signed by the Publicity Secretary, Ajibade Olubunmi, stated, “We appeal to security agents particularly the police in Ekiti State to secure the release of our member, Prof. Olaofe, kidnapped over two weeks ago.

“NUPA further calls on the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji to put all machinery in use in securing the release of the former DVC. We also urge members of the public to join the Association in giving useful that can lead to the rescue of the aged former DVC.”

The Special Adviser to Ekiti State Governor on Security Matters, Brig. Gen. Ebenezer Ogundana (retd), who described the kidnap of the retired professor as unfortunate, said, “Since that incident was reported, all security agencies have been on their toes, looking out, some suspects are being interrogated.

“As we speak, our people are in the forests looking for any trace. It is our hope that this evening, he should come back, and we pray that very soon, he is going to be released,” the security adviser said.

The Commissioner of Police in Ekiti State, Adeniran Akinwale, said that an investigation was in progress on the matter.

The CP, represented by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Edwin Igoche, said, “Investigation is in progress in respect of the whole thing. We are doing everything humanly possible, by the special grace of God, the professor will return safely”