PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday directed the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase, and other security agencies to take all necessary actions to ensure safe and speedy rescue of former Secretary to the Federal Government, Chief Olu Falae, from kidnappers who abducted him from his farm on Monday.
In response, the Inspector General of Police has ordered massive police deployment in Ondo State to ferret out the elder statesman unharmed.
There appears to be no truth in online reports Wednesday evening indicating that the elder statesman had been released by his captors. The reports cited a report in AIT.
Buhari’s directive followed the briefing the President received on the incident, which he described as callous and inhuman.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, in a statement said that Buhari condemned “the callous and reprehensible kidnapping of the former Minister of Finance and elder statesman.”
According to him, “The President assures Chief Falae’s family, friends and other concerned Nigerians that the Federal Government will do all within its powers to ensure his swift release.
“President Buhari, who has requested constant update from the police and security agencies on efforts to find and rescue Chief Falae, also denounce the recurring incidents of criminal abductions across the country.”
The President, Adesina added, assured all Nigerians that ongoing efforts to significantly enhance the security of lives and property in the country will continue apace and that under his leadership, Nigerians, irrespective of their status, will no longer be left at the mercy of criminal elements.
The Guardian reports that a visit by one of its correspondents to the he family of Falae revealed that members were making preparations to pay the N100 million ransom demanded by the kidnappers. Some reports indicate that the kidnappers have reduced their ransom demand to N90 million.
The first son, Dapo Falae, told journalists that the family was making arrangements, though he said the money was too enormous.
He said the family was planning the second remembrance of his younger brother, Deji Falae, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism who lost his life in the tragic plane crash during the burial of the late governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu on October 3, 2013, when the kidnap of his father happened.
Sympathisers from all walks of life, far and near, have been frequenting the Falae’s family home, praying to God that the elder statesman returns home safely.
High Chief James Olusoga, the Lisa of Akure, said the chiefs-in-council would soon meet the Fulani community renowned for cattle grazing and rearing in Akure and its suburb over the incident before they would know the subsequent action to take on the matter.
Falae’s driver, who is simply identified as David and whose Hilux van was shot at the farm, confirmed that the Fulani actually perpetrated the kidnap.
“Baba sent me on an errand, on my coming back to the farm, I heard several gun shots. Immediately, I put my gear in reverse, one of them wanted to shoot me but due to the speed, the bullet hit the screen which made them to wound the manager, Mr. Bruno,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, has directed the Ondo State Commissioner of Police to accelerate efforts and mobilise all resources to rescue elder statesman, Chief Olu Falae, who was kidnapped on his farm on Monday.
Reports indicate that the IG told policemen in the state that everywhere must be combed to ensure the release of the victim.
