The Ekiti Council of Elders has appealed to Ekiti State government to urgently intervene and ensure the rescue of the abducted former Deputy Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Professor Femi Olaofe.
Prof. Olaofe, a member of the council, was kidnapped by some gunmen from his residence at the State Housing Estate in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday.
The council’s president, Prof. Joseph Oluwasanmi and general secretary, Elder Niyi Ajibulu, expressed the Council’s confidence in the ability of the government to act swiftly on this unfortunate incident.
This was contained in a letter to Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, dated July 11 titled, Deplorable security situation: Appeal for urgent intervention.
The senior citizens said, “This Council regrets to inform Your Excellency that records confirm that two of its members have been kidnapped right in their residences in Ado Ekiti.
“The first occurrence was in 2021, when the late Chief Biodun Ajayi who was also the chairman of Association of Retired Heads of Services and Permanent Secretaries, and a member of APC was kidnapped.
“The recent occurrence took place on Tuesday 9 July, 2024 around 5am at Federal Housing Estate, Ado Ekiti when Prof. Olorunfemi Olaofe was kidnapped. Up till now, no information from his abductors.
“Ekiti Council of Elders is aware of the spirited efforts of the Governor, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji towards improving the deteriorating security situation in Ekiti State.
“Such efforts, we note, include, but are not limited to, providing human, material and financial resources to stem the growing crime waves in the state.
“Your Excellency, we are using this medium to make an official report of this sad incident. We also humbly request the intervention of the government to rescue the retired Professor from the kidnappers”.