…Owoloemi abduction, which occurred in broad daylight within a busy commercial area, has been widely condemned.
ONDO, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | Suspected gunmen have kidnapped a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State and Director-General of a pro–President Bola Tinubu support group, the Asiwaju Media Team, Prince Emorioloye Owoloemi.
Sources disclosed that Owoloemi was abducted at about 9:00 a.m. along the Okonga/Olodo Junction in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area. He was reportedly seized from his office by armed men who arrived in two Hilux vehicles and whisked him away to an unknown destination.
His whereabouts remain unknown, as all attempts to reach him have so far been unsuccessful. Owoloemi abduction, which occurred in broad daylight within a busy commercial area, has been widely condemned.
Reacting to the incident, the Chairman of Ilaje Local Government, Hon. Maurice Oripenaye, said he received the news with shock and deep concern, describing the kidnapping as a brazen act that threatens public safety and peace in the area.
According to Oripenaye, the incident represents a clear violation of security and an attack on the peace-loving people of Ilaje. He strongly condemned the act on behalf of the local government and expressed solidarity with the victim’s family, friends, and associates during what he described as a distressing time.
He urged members of the public to remain calm and refrain from spreading unverified information that could heighten tension or undermine ongoing investigations, stressing that the safety and security of residents remain the council’s top priority.
Oripenaye disclosed that the local government had immediately contacted relevant security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Army, and local security outfits, to ensure a swift and coordinated response.
He called on security agencies to deploy all necessary resources to secure Owoloemi’s immediate and safe release, carry out a thorough investigation to arrest the perpetrators and their sponsors, and intensify patrols, surveillance, and intelligence gathering across Ilaje to forestall further criminal activities.
The council chairman also appealed to community leaders, youth groups, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders to cooperate with security operatives by providing useful information that could aid the rescue effort.
Emphasising the council’s stance, Oripenaye warned that Ilaje Local Government would not tolerate any form of lawlessness, intimidation, or violence, assuring residents of the administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property and maintaining a safe environment for social, economic, and political activities.
Meanwhile, the Ondo State Police Command said investigations had commenced. The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, stated that although details surrounding the incident were still sketchy, a full-scale investigation was underway.
He urged residents of Ondo State to remain calm, assuring them that the command had put measures in place to ensure the safety and security of lives and property across the state.
