OSIELE, Nigeria – Ayodele Ajayi, the former Provost of the Federal College of Education, Osiele, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, was reportedly abducted by gunmen on Tuesday, July 25, 2023.
Ajayi’s wife and driver were also initially kidnapped during the incident, which took place in Ikija village along the Abeokuta-Ibadan road.
While Ajayi’s wife was later released, he and his driver remain in the custody of the abductors.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, briefed journalists on the situation in Abeokuta on Tuesday, July 25, 2023.
“The police and other security operatives have swung into action,” she stated.
An anonymous resident of the area spoke to journalists about the increasing wave of abductions along the Abeokuta-Ibadan road.
According to the source, the gunmen emerged from the bushes, shooting indiscriminately into the air and blocking the road before taking the victims.
“The gunmen took a lot of people initially,” the source explained. “Police and other security operatives mounted pressure on the abductors which made them later release other people kidnapped, including the man’s wife, but the man and his driver were taken away.”
The source further lamented the deteriorating security situation in the area, revealing that at least five persons have been kidnapped in the last week, with three people killed last month.
Even the Olu of Odeda, Oba David Olorunisola, was nearly abducted this week. His driver was shot during the incident and is currently receiving treatment.
“We need help, this is getting too much. Our people are no longer safe, we need the government’s intervention and security agencies to wake up to their responsibilities,” the source appealed.
The police have reportedly recovered the vehicle abandoned by the abductors and are intensifying efforts to locate and apprehend the kidnappers.
Meanwhile, fears and tensions rise among residents of Odeda Local Government Area as the community grapples with the escalating security challenge.
