Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Chief Olu Falae today revealed that his kidnappers have links with the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents even as he says he saw hell in captivity. Falae who was released today four days after his abduction by suspected Fulani herdsmen said he slept on bare floor while in the kidnappers den.In his discussion with the state Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, who paid him a visit at his Oba Ile residence today, Falae said the horrible experience gained during his period of captivity will remain fresh in his mind forever. He stated that his kidnappers were talking about giving part of the ransom demanded from his family to fund Boko Haram. He said this was why they rejected the N2million offered by his family.
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The Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase who led hundreds of police officers to rescue Falae however disclosed that no ransom was paid before the former Finance Minister was released, adding that the Afenifere leader was found by policemen along Akure/Owo road.Accompanied by the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of zone 11 comprising Ondo, Oyo and Osun states, Mrs Kalafithe Adeyemi and the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Mike Ogbodu, Arase said no arrest has been made in connection with the incident.
However, he said the Police would ensure that the abductors of Falae are brought to book in no distant time, stressing that “we shall not relent until those involved in his abduction are arrested.” Falae who is the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) was on Monday abducted from his farm in Ilado, Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo state by hoodlums suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.
His release however came less than 24 hours after President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase to secure the release of Falae. His release has elicited wild jubilation in Akure, the Ondo state capital, his hometown. A large number of people besieged the residence of Falae located at Oba-Ile area of Akure, thanking God for the safe return of their kinsman. The IGP who handed over Falae to Governor Mimiko decried the high level of kidnapping and other criminal acts in the country, saying the Police would soon overcome the trend.
The IGP said “we are going to devise strategies to ensure that hoodlums do not overwhelm a state. It is not possible. Security challenges like this are not new. It is not only localized in Nigeria but it is a global thing. “We will continue to disgrace them, we will continue to catch them. Right from Monday when he was kidnapped, policemen had been working underground and thank God for the success recorded.”
According to him “no ransom was paid on him. The public will know as soon as we make any arrest in connection with the incident. I assure you we shall not rest until we overcome this challenge.” Speaking, Governor Mimiko who expressed gratitude to God for the safe return of Falae said the return of the abducted Politician was a proof that God answers prayers. “We are happy he is back. We thank God he is back both safe and sound. We are just happy that he is back. I prayed he come back safely and he did,” he said.
He expressed worry on the high level of kidnapping in the country, saying the trend has taken alarming dimension. Also, a large number of people besieged the Government House as the Inspector General of Police led Falae to the Government House. Falae who refused to speak to the crowd of people, who besieged his residence, however waved his two hands to them as he entered into the house in the presence of fierce looking police officers.
