A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Saheed Adewale Oriade, has been kidnapped in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
According to reports, he was abducted around 7 p.m. on Wednesday after three armed men forced him into a blue vehicle.
The assailants fled in an unknown direction, and his mobile phone was also taken during the attack.
Confirming the abduction, a chieftain of the APC and former House of Assembly candidate for Ibadan Southwest Constituency 1, Hon. Tolani Adigun, expressed deep distress over the incident, describing it as unacceptable and a painful reminder of the worsening insecurity in the country.
In a statement released to journalists, Tolani condemned the kidnapping and urged security agencies at both state and federal levels to act swiftly and deploy all necessary resources to ensure Oriade’s immediate and safe rescue.
She emphasized that criminal activities must not be allowed to thrive in Oyo State, highlighting the need to strengthen security, enhance intelligence sharing, and protect the lives and property of residents.
“My thoughts and prayers are with Hon. Oriade’s family during this difficult time,” Tolani said, urging residents and party members to remain calm as security operatives work to secure his release.
She further appealed to security formations to treat the matter with urgency, stressing that Oyo State must not be surrendered to criminals.
She prayed for Oriade’s safe return, asking God to protect him and bring him home alive.
Meanwhile, former Senate leader and 2023 APC governorship candidate in Oyo State, Teslim Folarin, also expressed concern over the abduction.
In a Facebook post, he described the incident as unacceptable and a painful reminder of rising insecurity across the nation.
“I am deeply troubled by the kidnapping of Hon. Wale Oriade. I strongly call on all security agencies to act decisively and deploy every necessary resource to ensure his immediate and safe rescue,” Folarin stated.
Calling for calm, he appealed to party members to remain patient as security efforts continue.
“My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult period. I appeal for calm among our party members and residents as security operatives intensify efforts.
Oyo State must not be surrendered to criminals. We must strengthen our security architecture, improve intelligence sharing, and protect every citizen. May Almighty Allah safeguard Hon. Oriade and return him home safely,” he added.
