By John Odunayo
It is exactly three weeks today, Thursday, July 30, that 78 years old former Deputy Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University and member of Ekiti Council of Elders, Prof. Olorunfemi Olaofe, was kidnapped from his residence in Ado Ekiti.
Three weeks on, the leadership and members of the Ekiti Council of Elders, just as members of his family, members of his Are Ekiti community and Nigerian Universities Pensioners’ Association, EKSU and as well his friends have been anxious and awaiting his return from the kidnappers’ den to rejoin them.
The elders’ Council has expressed worries and anxiety over the continuous detention of the elderly man by the kidnappers in an unknown location.
The retired university teacher was kidnapped from his residence in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, alongside his security guard on July 9.
The elders, concerned about the condition of their member in the kidnappers’ den since July 9, have suspended indefinitely all activities of their council including the medical services which they had wanted to officially commence last Thursday at the Professor Joseph Oluwasanmi Wellness Centre located in the Ekiti Council of Elders’ Resort in Ado Ekiti.
The President of the Council, Prof. Joseph Oluwasanmi, who spoke at a press conference addressed by the elders for intensified effort to ensure release of the retired university teacher, said the continuous stay of the old man in captivity was worrisome hence their anxiety.
Oluwasanmi said, “Our esteemed member, Prof Olaofe, was brazenly kidnapped from his residence on Tuesday July 9, and remains in captivity as of this moment, 25th July.This has left us deeply anxious and fearful.
“We are on our bended knees for any method that can be used to find the Professor who has given his all to our society. We do not presume to know more than the security experts, but time is of essence for us to find the elderly man alive, hence our anxiety”.
The Elders’ president appealed to Ekiti State Government and security agencies to secure the release of kidnapped elder.
Oluwasanmi said, “While we appreciate the efforts of the state government and the security operatives, we implore all stakeholders to unite to ensure the safe release of the Professor and to eradicate insecurity in the state,” Oluwasanmi stated.
The Council president, who said this was the second time its members was kidnapped, lamented that such could discourage the senior citizens from the services and help they were still rendering to society at old age.
He disclosed that the Elders’ Council, owing to the continuous stay of its member in the kidnappers’ den, had suspended indefinitely its activities which he said included care for people, saying, “It is a pity for the elders, it is a pity for the neighbours who could have benefitted”.
This was as the Nigeria Universities Pensioners Association, EKSU Chapter, in a statement, appealed to security agents particularly the police in Ekiti State and the state governor, Biodun Oyebanji, “to put all machinery in use in securing the release of the former DVC”.
EKSU NUPA, in its statement signed by the Publicity Secretary, Ajibade Olubunmi, stated, “We appeal to security agents particularly the police in Ekiti State to secure the release of our member, Prof. Olaofe, kidnapped over two weeks ago.
“NUPA further calls on the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji to put all machinery in use in securing the release of the former DVC. We also urge members of the public to join the Association in giving useful that can lead to the rescue of the aged former DVC,” Olubunmi stated.
The Special Adviser to the Governor of Security Matters Brig Gen. Ebenezer (retd); the state Amotekun Corps, Brig. Gen. Olu Adewa (retd); and Commissioner of Ekiti State Command, Mr Adeniran Akinwale (represented by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Edwin Igoche), expressed hope that the former VC would soon regain freedom as investigation was in progress.
