The Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, Mr Maurice Oripenaye, has raised the alarm over the alleged abduction of an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in the council area, Mr Owoloemi Emorioloye.
Oripenaye, in a statement issued on Sunday, alleged that Emorioloye was abducted by armed men who stormed his office in Igbokoda, the headquarters of the local government, on Thursday.
He said the assailants arrived in two Hilux vans and forcefully took the APC chieftain away, adding that his whereabouts had remained unknown since the incident.
Condemning the act, the council chairman called on security agencies to take immediate action to ensure the safe and unharmed release of the victim.
“The Ilaje Local Government Council has received with profound shock and grave concern reports of the brazen abduction of Prince Emorioloye Owoloemi, a respected media and political figure in our community, widely known as Emotel and the Director-General of the Asiwaju Media Team,” Oripenaye said.
According to him, the incident occurred at about 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 15, along the Okonga/Olodo Junction in Igbokoda.
Citing eyewitness accounts, Oripenaye said Emorioloye was forcefully taken from his office by armed individuals in broad daylight in a busy commercial area.
“This act of criminality, carried out in broad daylight in a bustling commercial area, is utterly condemnable and unacceptable,” he said.
The council chairman urged residents to remain calm and avoid the spread of unverified information that could heighten tension or hinder ongoing investigations.
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He also assured that the safety and security of residents remained his top priority, adding that the local government had contacted relevant security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Army and local security networks, to ensure a swift and coordinated response.
Meanwhile, the Ondo State Police Command confirmed the incident, saying investigations had commenced.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Abayomi Jimoh, appealed to residents to remain calm, assuring them that the command was taking steps to ensure the security of lives and property across the state.
“Information at my disposal remains sketchy, but a full-scale investigation has commenced. We urge the good people of Ondo State to remain calm, as the command has put measures in place to ensure the security of lives and property,” Jimoh said.