KIDNAPPERS have struck again on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, this time abducting the chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Philip Aivoji.
They are said to be demanding N200 million for his release.
Aivoji was said to have been kidnapped on Thursday at the Ogere area of the expressway around 6 p.m. while returning to Lagos from a PDP South West zonal meeting held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The meeting was convened by Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Ademola Adeleke of Osun State.
Another member of the Lagos State PDP exco who was said to have escaped being kidnapped was said to be receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.
The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, confirmed the incident to Saturday Tribune, on Friday.
Alamutu explained that 10 persons, including the PDP chairman, were kidnapped on the highway, but nine of the victims were later released following a gun battle between them and security operatives.
Alamutu said efforts were on to secure the release of the politician from the den of his abductors.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State chapter of PDP has called upon security agencies and government authorities at all levels to urgently intervene and secure the release of its chairman, Mr Aivoji.
The party, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Hakeem Amode, said it was disheartening that kidnapping had become a prevalent issue in the country.
According to the party, the government’s inability to address the menace was deeply concerning.
The PDP said the abduction of Aivoji underscored the pressing need for decisive actions from the government and stakeholders to eradicate the menace.
It called on the governments of Oyo, Ogun and Lagos states, as well as security agencies, to expedite efforts and secure his safe return to his family and well-wishers.
The party said: “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.”
Also reacting to the development, the party’s governorship candidate in Lagos State in the 2023 general election, Dr Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran (JANDOR), expressed shock over the news of the kidnapping of Mr Aivoji, calling for his rescue and urgent action against insecurity in the country.
JANDOR, on Friday in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr Gbenga Ogunleye, described the incident as unfortunate and a disturbing dimension to the growing insecurity in the country, especially in the South West.
He stated that the failure of government in the area of security had further put the lives of the citizens in danger and, therefore, demanded urgent action from the security agencies to facilitate immediate release of the abducted party chairman.
The party chieftain advised that the regional local security outfit, Amotekun, to collaborate with the police in “this rescue mission.”
JANDOR prayed for divine intervention as he implored the party faithful not to despair but to keep praying for the quick release of the kidnapped chairman and others.
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