.Party commends security operatives
The abducted Lagos State chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Philip Aivoji, regained freedom yesterday, after spending four days in captivity.
Aivoji was kidnapped on Thursday, January 25, at about 7:00 p.m. by some hoodlums at the Ogere area of Ogun State, along Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
The chairman was returning from the PDP South-West zonal meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State, when he was abducted.
The Guardian learnt that the hoodlums emerged from a bush near the Bamboo area of Ogun, inward Lagos, barricaded the highway with articulated vehicles, and started firing indiscriminately. The resultant commotion and panic made motorists abandon their vehicles and flee for safety.
Spokesperson for Ogun State Police Command, SP Omolola Odutola, said on getting the information, the Divisional Police Officer of Isara Division and his team swiftly raced to the scene together with an army patrol team on transit. They returned fire, aiding the escape of nine kidnapped victims, who later returned to their vehicles and continued their journey.
Odutola said during the operation, a white Mazda bus registered as LSR 288 XE was damaged, while Eunice Afolake Osalusi, ‘f’, Erinfolami Samuel, ‘m’, Obafemi Da Altantra, ‘m’, and Adeyinka Mathew sustained non-life threatening bullet injuries in their escape attempts, and were treated in hospital.
“Sadly, one Bilikisu Kazeem, ‘f’, 37, gave up the ghost before getting to the hospital, while Aivoji, “m”, was held captive by the kidnappers. However, efforts of the Ogun State Police Command and other security agencies yielded results, as Aivoji was released early yesterday morning. The victim has been reunited with his family.
Odutola added: “Efforts are on top gear to track down the hoodlums.”
Confirming this development, spokesperson for Lagos PDP, Hakeem Amode, in a statement, said that Aivoji was released after spending four days with the kidnappers.
“We use this opportunity to appreciate your prayers and thank you all for your concerns and prayers,” Amode said.
The party thanked security agencies and government authorities for facilitating his freedom.
The abductors had earlier contacted his family, demanding a N200 million ransom.
Amode could not confirm if there was any payment before his release.
