KIDNAPPING: POLICE CONFIRM AGBAJE, OTHERS RELEASED
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BY DAMILOLA LAWRENCE
The Nigeria Police Force, Oyo State Command, on Monday confirmed the release of Prof. Adigun Agbaje, a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, at the University of Ibadan, from the dens of his abductors.
It’s Public Relations Officer, SP. Adewale Osifeso made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan.
According to the report, Agbaje, alongside two female students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Abeokuta, Adejare Olayemi (male) and Oluwatobi Orekoya (female), Aminat Taiwo (female) and were on Friday night kidnapped by gunmen in military uniform around Dominica University, on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The abductors had earlier contacted Agbaje’s family for a ransom of N50 million for his release, while they demanded N10 million each for the release of the two students.
The source, Professor Remi Aiyede, Head of Department, Political Science, University of Ibadan, said “Prof Agbaje has just been released about few hours ago. He is okay and undergoing medical checkup,” he said in on telephone.
However, it was gathered that the students were released on Sunday evening after ransom of N2.2 million was paid to secure their release of Orekoya and her friend identified as Aminat Taiwo. Segun Orekoya confirmed her release.
It was also gathered that Princess Temilola Oyediran regained her freedom.
Princess Oyediran is one of the daughters of the reigning monarch of Ijeru kingdom in Oyo State, Oba Sunday Oladapo Oyediran.
The daughter of the monarch was released Sunday night, though it was not clear if ransom was paid before her release.
The palace source said, “what is important is that she came back safely.”
Meanwhile, Professor Agbaje has sent a personal note of appreciation to friends and family members upon his release by the abductors.
He wrote; “It’s a new day today and I’m happy to be alive. I was released by my kidnappers yesterday evening after spending two nights in the thick forests of Ogun and Oyo states. My mind goes to the five others who are still left with the kidnappers: two young ladies, two young men and a middle-aged person. I was shot at in the head during the abduction process. I thank God that the bullet that went through my car’s windscreen left only a skin-deep wound on my head even though it left a gaping hole in the cap I was wearing. I did not even know about this till Saturday morning when I saw caked blood on my cap.
“I am undergoing comprehensive health checks and so it may take some time to thank all my family, including my in-laws, friends and in-laws to my children, my own friends, colleagues and all Nigerians.
“For now, I want to thank the following former and current Vice Chancellors of the University of Ibadan: Prof Olufemi Bamiro, Prof Isaac Adewole, Prof Idowu Olayinka and Prof Kayode Adebowale, my colleagues at the University of Ibadan and other Universities at home and abroad, current and former students, including Mr Fisayo Soyombo, for their wonderful support and generosity to my family, top government, military, and other security officials. I am quite grateful for all your efforts. You all kept hope alive and ensured that the sensitive negotiations came to a successful end when I regained freedom yesterday evening. As stated earlier, my heart goes to those young female undergraduates, the young men and the middle-aged person I left behind with the kidnappers. I may not be reachable now but as soon as I get medical clearance from my doctors, I will be thanking all of you personally.”
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