Gunmen abduct INEC official, demand N20 million ransom

Gunmen on Friday kidnapped an official of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Muslim Omoleke, while on his way to Ife, in Osun State.

Mr. Omoleke was reportedly kidnapped at Iwaraja, a town near Ilesa in Osun State, along with his son and driver.

A source informed PREMIUM TIMES that the kidnappers had released his son and driver with his car and took him to an unknown destination.

It was also gathered that the kidnappers had made contact with the family of Omoleke, demanding a ransom of N20 million.

“They later released his child and the driver along with the vehicle and took him away. We have not heard anything since then,” the source said.

INEC Spokesman in Ekiti, Taiwo Gbadegesin, confirmed the incident and said security agencies in Ondo, Osun and Ekiti states had been contacted.

There was however an initial confusion over the identity of the victim, as it was rumoured that he was a lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University.

However, the Public Relations Officer of the institution, Olanrewaju Abiodun said he was not a staff of the institution, but a relative of an employee of the university.

“He was kidnapped at gunpoint and he is an INEC official from Ekiti state,” Mr. Abiondun confirmed.

Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti Police Command, Alberto Adeyemi, said the command and other police formations had put the machinery in place to rescue Mr. Omoleke.

“We are trailing them and we will get them,” Mr. Adeyemi said.