Chief Olu Falae Kidnapped: Abductors demand N100m Ransom Within 24 Hrs

The former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Olu Falae was kidnapped at about 1pm yesterday, the 21st of September, 2015 from his farm at Ilado village in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State. The abduction coincided with his 77th birthday. According to report, the suspected gunmen were said to be Fulani herdsmen.
The wife of the former SGF, Rachael, told journalists that her husband called and informed her that he had just been kidnapped and the line went dead immediately. Also at about 3.20 pm yesterday, it was reported that the Septuagenarian’s abductors demanded a ransom of N100million on or before the end of work today (Tuesday) in order to secure his release.
“Somebody, whose accent allegedly sounded like that of a Hausa-Fulani man called and said Baba (Falae) is safe with them. The man said we should pay N100 million to secure Baba’s release.
“Baba goes to his farm everyday and nothing like this has happened before, it is unfortunate,” Remi Olayiwola, the spokesman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Ondo said.
Reacting to the incident, the Ondo State Government condemned kidnapping.
Also speaking on the matter, the Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the Ondo State Police Command, Mr. Wole Ogodo, said the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations, Mr. Isola Abdulahi had ordered the dispatch of 50 policemen to the farm where the abduction took place. According to the police spokesman, the abductors, who overpowered and injured some of the 200 workers that the victim had on his farm, also beat him before he was dragged towards the forest reservation area. Ogodo said Falae was reported to have had a running battle with some Fulani herdsmen, who had been grazing on his farm.
In the same vein, the former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode said yesterday that Falae’s abduction was “not only unacceptable but is also an exceptionally dangerous development”. In a statement, he said: “I say this because he is not only an elder-statesman of our country but he is also one of the most revered leaders of Afenifere and the South-west.”
“We cannot sit by idly and watch our leaders and elders being endangered, shamed and humiliated in this way. It is the government’s job to keep us all safe and secure and they are failing in that duty.I call on the president and our security agencies to effect the expeditious and immediate release of Chief Olu Falae. They must rescue him from these vagabonds and vandals as soon as possible before things get out of hand.Let it be clearly understood that if anything happens to him and if he doesn’t come home hale and hearty, we will hold the federal government responsible and there will be consequences. Those that are in power would do well to take what I have said very seriously.”