The chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, Philip Aivoji, and several other party chieftains were abducted by gunmen in the Ogere area of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Thursday. They were reportedly returning from the party’s Stakeholders’ Zonal Caucus Meeting in Ibadan, convened by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde. Sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, disclosed 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, stated that there was an abduction at the Bamboo area of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. She assured that security personnel are making efforts to rescue the abducted victims, although she claimed not to know the identities of the kidnapped victims.

The state chapter of the party condemned the abduction in a statement made available to PUNCH Online by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Hakeem Amode. The party called on security agencies and government authorities at all levels to promptly intervene and secure the release of its chairman. The statement emphasized the need for decisive actions from the government and stakeholders to eradicate the menace of kidnapping.

The party’s governorship candidate in the state, Dr. Abdul-Azeez Adediran, also condemned the abduction, expressing shock over the news. He described the incident as a disturbing dimension to the growing insecurity in the country, especially in the South West. Dr. Adediran demanded urgent action from the security agencies to facilitate the immediate release of the abducted party chairman and advised collaboration between the regional local security outfit, Amotekun, and the police in the rescue mission.

Dr. Adediran prayed for divine intervention and encouraged the party faithful not to despair but to keep praying for the speedy release of the kidnapped chairman and others.

Naijamatta is a social networking site,

download Naijamatta from Google play store or visit www.naijamatta.com to register. You can post, comment, do voice and video call, join and open group, go live etc. Join Naijamatta family, the Green app.