By Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on Thursday kidnapped the former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti (EKSU), Professor Femi Olaofe, at his residence in Ado-Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State.

Olaofe, a native of Are-Ekiti in the Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area of Ekiti State, was a Professor of Industrial Chemistry before his recent retirement from Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti.

An eyewitness account told our correspondent that Professor Olaofe had returned to Ado-Ekiti on Monday afternoon after a short visit to Lagos, where he had gone to see his children.

The source, who preferred to remain anonymous, said, “We saw him on Monday when he returned from his trip to Lagos. We greeted and exchanged pleasantries. We also saw his gateman, who lives with him. As a retired professor, his house is very calm and always quiet.

“We have been neighbors for a long time. Anytime he drives out, he always stops to say hello to us.

“On Tuesday, we noticed that the gate of his house was left open. This was strange because the gate is always closed. We approached the gate intending to call the security man to shut it. We called the security man, but there was no answer.

“We made our way into the living room. As we got closer, we noticed the door to the living room was wide open. We shouted ‘Professor!’ thrice, but there was no response. We decided to go around the compound, and yet we couldn’t find anyone.

“At this point, we became suspicious that something had happened. We then decided to approach the Divisional Police Station, Housing Estate, where we made a report.

“It was later that we heard how some kidnappers came into his house and demanded the key to his car. We learned that he was taken away in the car along with his security man.”

The development prompted a three-man team from the Are-Ekiti Development Association (AREDAA), led by President Engr. James Adebayo, to meet with the Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Command, Mr. Adeniran Akinwale, about the sad incident.

At the meeting, Engr. Adebayo conveyed the message of the monarch, the Alare of Are-Ekiti, Oba Boluade Adebiyi, and the entire people of Are-Ekiti to the Commissioner of Police.

According to a statement signed by AREDAA Public Relations Officer, Hon. Odunayo Ehinafe, “We have come to meet with you regarding the sad incident of the kidnapping of our illustrious son and a professor of repute, Professor Femi Olaofe. We received the news of our son’s kidnapping with sadness.

“Professor Olaofe was kidnapped at his residence in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday after he returned from a short trip to Lagos. On behalf of the Kabiyesi Alare of Are-Ekiti, AREDAA, and the entire people of our community, we urge you to do everything humanly possible to bring Olaofe back home alive.”

In his response at the meeting, the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police confirmed that they had received the report of the kidnapping of Professor Olaofe on Tuesday at his residence in Ado-Ekiti.

He said, “I want to confirm the report of the kidnapping of Professor Femi Olaofe, a former Vice-Chancellor of Ekiti State University, which took place at his residence in the State Housing Estate, Oke-Ila, Ado-Ekiti.

“The Ekiti Police Command has commenced investigations into the matter. We want to inform you that my men have recovered Professor Olaofe’s personal vehicle, in which he was kidnapped from his residence.

“The vehicle was recovered in a bush along Oke-Ila-Afao Road, where it was abandoned by the kidnappers.”

Akinwale also told the team that the Ekiti Police Command had received information on the demand for a N50m ransom by the kidnappers. “With this development, we can confirm that this is a case of kidnapping,” he said.

The Commissioner of Police assured the family and relations of the victim that the Ekiti State Police Command would do everything within their power to bring him back home safely.

“My only concern is that, as an elderly man, we must pray to God to grant him the strength and energy to withstand the ordeal,” he concluded.

Sons and daughters of Are-Ekiti, both at home and in the diaspora, have continued to call on the Ekiti State Police Command, the Nigerian Social and Civil Security Defence Corps, Amotekun, and all other security agencies to join hands to ensure that their son is brought back home alive.