In a distressing incident, gunmen abducted Philip Aivoji, the chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), along with other party chieftains on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway at the Ogere area. The kidnapping occurred on Thursday as they were returning from the PDP Stakeholders’ Zonal Caucus Meeting in Ibadan, convened by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.
Sources disclosed that the abductors are demanding a ransom of N200 million for the release of the party leaders. The incident was confirmed by the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, who stated that security personnel are actively working to rescue the abducted victims. However, she did not provide details about the identities of the kidnapped victims.
In response to the abduction, the Lagos State chapter of the PDP condemned the incident, urging swift intervention from security agencies and government authorities at all levels to secure the release of their chairman. The party expressed concern over the prevalence of kidnapping in the country and emphasized the urgent need for decisive actions to address this menace.
The statement issued by the PDP’s Publicity Secretary, Hakeem Amode, called on the governments of Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos states, as well as security agencies, to expedite efforts to ensure the safe return of Philip Aivoji. The party believes that with increased efforts from security agencies, the chairman and others can be rescued from the hands of the kidnappers.
Dr. Abdul-Azeez Adediran, the PDP’s governorship candidate in the state, also known as Jandor, condemned the abduction, highlighting the growing insecurity in the South West. He called for urgent action from security agencies and suggested collaboration between the police and the regional security outfit, Amotekun, to facilitate the immediate release of the kidnapped chairman.
Expressing shock over the news, Jandor emphasized the need for swift government intervention in addressing the escalating security challenges, underscoring the importance of ensuring the safety of citizens. He urged party faithful to remain steadfast, praying for the speedy release of the kidnapped chairman and others.
