Gunmen have abducted the chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, Philip Aivoji, and some other party chieftains.
They were said to have been abducted at the Ogere area of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Thursday.
Philip was reportedly kidnapped alongside other party members who were with him while returning from the party’s Stakeholders’ Zonal Caucus Meeting convened by Oyo State Govenor, Seyi Makinde, and held in Ibadan, the state’s capital.
Sources who craved anonymity revealed to our correspondent that the abductors are demanding N200 million for the release of the party leaders.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, said there was an abduction at the Bamboo area, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway inward Lagos.
She added that security personnel are on top of the issue and are making efforts to rescue the abducted victims while claiming not to know the identities of the kidnapped victims.
“Our men rescued some of the victims and are making efforts to reunite the others with their families,” she said.
However, the state chapter of the party condemned the abduction of the chairman.
In a statement made available to PUNCH Online by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Hakeem Amode, on Friday, the party called on security agencies and government authorities at all levels to intervene promptly and secure the release of its chairman.
The statement read, “It is disheartening that kidnapping has become a prevalent issue in our country, and the government’s inability to address this menace is deeply concerning.
“The abduction of Aivoji underscores the pressing need for decisive actions from the government and stakeholders to eradicate this menace.
“Aivoji’s abduction was a violent incident, and his current whereabouts or any communication from the abductors remain unknown.
“We implore the governments of Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos states, alongside security agencies, to expedite efforts and secure his safe return to his family and well-wishers.
“We firmly believe that, with increased efforts from security agencies, Aivoji can be rescued from these criminals, and we call on the public to support initiatives aimed at ending this threat to innocent lives.”
Meanwhile, the party’s governorship candidate in the state, Dr. Abdul-Azeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, also condemned the abduction while expressing shock over the news.
Jandor, who wrote through his spokesperson, Gbenga Ogunleye, said that “the abysmal failure of government” in the area of security has further put the lives of the citizens in grave danger.
The statement read, “Dr. Adediran described the unfortunate incident as a disturbing dimension to the growing insecurity in the country, especially in the South West.
“Jandor demands urgent action from the security agencies to facilitate the immediate release of the abducted party chairman. He also advised that the regional local security outfit, Amotekun, should collaborate with the police in this rescue mission.
“However, Dr. Adediran prayed for divine intervention as he enjoined the party faithful not to despair but
to keep praying for the speedy release of the kidnapped chairman and others.”