Governor Biodun Oyebanji has directed the police, SSS and Amotekun to free the kidnapped Ekiti APC chair Paul Omotoso and two others.

Mr Oyebanji, represented by Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye, gave the directive on Sunday when he visited Omotoso’s family at Imesi-Ekiti, Ayekire LGA.

“I hereby charge the security operatives – the police, DSS, army and other sister agencies to rescue him alive from these evil doers and reunite him with his family safe and sound,” Ms Afuye stated. “Please, help us appeal to our youths not to take laws into their hands. They should remain peaceful and calm and I can assure you that he will be released soon to join us.”

She stated that Mr Omotoso should not only be rescued unscathed but that the perpetrators of the dastardly act be nabbed and made to face the full weight of the law.

On Saturday, Mr Omotoso, a former commissioner, and two others were kidnapped by gunmen along Agbado-Imesi road and whisked to an unknown destination.

According to his family, Mr Omotoso was attending a wedding at Ikare Akoko, in Ondo, and was returning to Ado-Ekiti when he was attacked.

Similarly, the deputy governor, received by the victim’s family, also visited the Onimesi of Imesi-Ekiti, Oba Olatunji Olatunde, to register his displeasure over the kidnap.

Ms Afuye directed the police and SSS operatives to comb the sprawling forests along Agbado-Imesi-Irun Akoko in Ondo and other suspected areas to rescue the victims safely.

The deputy governor stated that the abduction was troubling and disturbing, saying his government would continue to step up efforts to tighten the noose on criminals terrorising Ekiti.

“Let me say that we are saddened by this news because we know the trauma this must have caused to his family members, his town, admirers, members of our great party in Ekiti and Nigeria in general,” stated the deputy governor. 

She added, “You could all attest to the fact that insecurity like this had been on a downward trend since Oyebanji took over about nine months ago. We won’t allow any evil doer to jeopardise our strategy to make Ekiti safe for investments and habitation.”

(NAN)