…..Wants captive freed alive
EDITOR
The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji in a swift reaction, on Sunday, has given a marching order to all security operatives in the state including the State Police Command, the Department of State Services(DSS) and Amotekun Corps to rescue the abducted State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Ekiti, Hon. Paul Omotoso and two others from captivity.
Oyebanji stated that Omotoso shouldn’t only be rescued unscathed, but the perpetrators of the dastardly act be arrested and made to face the full weight of the laws.
The former Commissioner, Omotoso, and two others, were abducted by gunmen along Agbado-Imesi road on Saturday and whisked to an unknown destination.
According to veritable information from family members, Omotoso was said to have earlier attended a wedding at Ikare Akoko, in Ondo State and was returning to Ado Ekiti when the evil men struck.
Oyebanji, represented by his Deputy, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, gave the directive on Sunday, when he visited Omotoso’s family at Imesi Ekiti, Ayekire Local Government area of the state to sympathise with them on the devastating incident.
Similarly, the Governor, who was received by the victim’s family, also visited the Onimesi of Imesi Ekiti, Oba Olatunji Olatunde to register his displeasure over the disturbing incident.
Oyebanji in a terse statement, directed the police and DSS operatives to comb the adjoining forests along Agbado-Imesi-Irun Akoko in Ondo State and other flashpoints to rescue the victims alive from where they are being held hostage.
The Governor branded the incident as very troubling and disturbing, saying his government would continue to step up efforts to tighten noose on those who are ocassionally terrorising Ekiti through senseless kidnapping, and made to face serious resistance.
As part of the ways to stamp out abduction in that axis of Ekiti, Oyebanji assured that the state forest reserves extending from Agbado-Imesi-Ise will be rescusiated and put to use to dislodge those using the area as hideout.
He said: “The Ekiti State Government under the leadership of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, received with sadness, the kidnap of the State CHairman of APC, Hon Paul Omotoso.
“Let me say that we are saddened by this news because we know the trauma this must have caused his family members, his town, admirers, members of our great party in Ekiti and the whole country at large.
“You could all attest to the fact that insecurity like this had been on a downward trend since Governor Oyebanji took over about nine months ago. We won’t allow any evil doer to jeopardise our strategy to make Ekiti safe for investments and habitation.
“I hereby charge the security operatives; the police, DSS, army and other sister agencies to rescue him alive from these evil doers and reunite him with his family safe and sound.
“Please, help us appeal to our youths not to take laws into their hands. They should remain peaceful and calm and I can assure you that he (Omotoso) will be released soon to join us”.
During the brief visit to Onimesi, Oba Olatunde, said his people were deeply saddened by the incident, saying the town has started organising prayers to ensure the victim’s returns safely and reunite with the community.
Oba Olatunde said he had taken steps to calm down frayed nerves to avert any unrest from irate youths and subjects, who became livid by Omotoso’s abduction.
“We are organising prayers and we are hopeful that he will soon be released. Everything points to the fact that he will soon be released because the government and security agencies are deploying every arsenal to ensure that he regains freedom soon”.
Signed:
Victor Ogunje
Special Assistant Media
Deputy Governor’s Office
