On Tuesday, Professor Femi Olaofe, a retired Professor of Industrial Chemistry and former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Ekiti State University, was abducted from his home in the Housing Estate on Afao Road in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital. He was taken along with his bodyguard. This incident occurred just a day after his return from a brief visit to Lagos to see his children.
The kidnappers have contacted Professor Olaofe’s family, demanding a ransom of ₦50 million for his release. A neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous, recounted the events: “We saw him on Monday when he returned from Lagos. We greeted and exchanged pleasantries. His home is always calm and quiet, a typical retired professor’s residence. On Tuesday, we noticed his gate was unusually open. When there was no response from his security man, we entered the house and found the living room door wide open. We called out for the professor three times, but there was no answer. Suspecting something was wrong, we reported to the Divisional Police Station, and the police quickly took action.”
It was later revealed that the kidnappers had entered the house, demanded the car keys, and took Professor Olaofe and his security guard away in the vehicle. The Are-Ekiti Development Association (ÀRÄ’DAA) has called on the Ekiti State Police Command to ensure the professor’s release. The state’s Commissioner of Police, Akinwale Adeniran, confirmed the kidnapping and the ₦50 million ransom demand.
Commissioner Adeniran stated, “I can confirm the kidnapping of Professor Femi Olaofe from his residence at the State Housing Estate, Oke-Ila Ado Ekiti. Our investigations are ongoing, and we have recovered his personal vehicle, abandoned in a bush along Oke-Ila-Afao Road.”
He assured the family and the public that the police are doing everything possible to secure Professor Olaofe’s safe return.