Falae’s kidnappers demand N100m ransom

The kidnappers of Olu Falae, a prominent Nigerian politician and one time secretary to the government in the regime of Ibrahim Babangida, former military president, are demanding a ransom of N100 million.

Korede Duyile, chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Ondo state, disclosed this to reporters at the residence of Falae after visiting the family.

But in what appears to be a contradiction, Wole Ogodo, the police public relations officer in the state, said Falae was only attacked and not kidnapped.

“It wasn’t a case of kidnap but an attack by Fulani herdsmen,” he said.

Ogodo said the attackers injured some of the victim’s workers, adding that about 50 policemen had been deployed to the area to search for him.

A source had told TheCable that the kidnappers took him from his farm house in Ilado, a community in Akure north local government area of Ondo state, around 12pm on Monday.

“Seven herdsmen stormed his farm house, macheted his driver. Beat up farm workers,” the source said.

“As I speak to you now, the police have condoned off all entry points to the state in a bid to secure his release.”

Reuben Fasoranti, a chieftain of Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, has since visited the family of Falae over the development.

Falae, who clocked 77 on Monday, is also the national chairman of SDP.