Abducted Afenifere youth leader regains freedom — after 12 days in captivity

Eniola Ojajuni, the abducted national president of the Afenifere Youth Council (AYC), has regained freedom after 12 days in captivity.

Abiodun Aderohunmu, the national secretary of the AYC, confirmed Ojajuni’s release in a telephone conversation with TheCable.

“Yes, he has been released,” Aderohunmu said.

In a statement issued by the council, Aderohunmu said Ojajuni was released on Saturday after a ransom was paid to his abductors.

Aderohunmu added that Ojajuni is receiving medical attention at the moment.

“We are delighted to announce that our president, Prince Eniola Joseph Ojajuni, has been released from captivity. He was freed today, March 1, 2025, at approximately 6:00 pm,” the statement reads.

“The Afenifere National Youth Council expresses its profound gratitude to all individuals, organizations, and well-wishers who stood by us during this challenging period. Your support, prayers, and solidarity were invaluable to us.

“Prince is undergoing medical care now. We would also want to emphasise that security is key, and the government holds it a responsibility to her people.”

On February 18, Aderohunmu announced that gunmen abducted Olajuni in Abuja, the nation’s capital, adding that the abductors demanded a N100 million ransom.

“During the kidnapping, Prince Ojajuni sustained a bullet wound on his buttock. We are deeply concerned about his safety and well-being, and we urge the kidnappers to release him unharmed,” he wrote in a statement issued on Facebook.

On February 24, Ojajuni appeared in a video circulating on social media, pleading for financial help to pay the ransom demanded by his kidnappers.

In the video, Ojajuni was seen sitting on the ground while a gunman pointed an AK-47 rifle at him.

Meanwhile, on February 26, Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police (IGP), ordered the deployment of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) to rescue Ojajuni.

Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the force spokesperson, in a statement, cautioned against social media speculation and the spread of unverified information regarding the ongoing rescue operation.