Monday, August 17, 2026

Abducted ex-presidential candidate regains freedom after 12 days

Mr Ojajuni, the presidential candidate of the defunct Alliance Democracy (AD) in the 2019 general election, was abducted on February 17 in Abuja.

• March 1, 2025
Eniola Ojajuni, bandits
Eniola Ojajuni, bandits

Eniola Ojajuni, a former presidential candidate abducted by bandits in Abuja, has regained his freedom after spending 12 days in the kidnappers’ den.

“I have been released,” Mr Olajuni said on Saturday while being driven in a car, a video of which was shared on X. “I was released in Ibilo, Edo State, this evening.”

However, he did not give further details about his release.

Mr Ojajuni, the presidential candidate of the defunct Alliance Democracy (AD) in the 2019 general election, was abducted on February 17 in Abuja.  

It was gathered that the victim was on his way for a meeting when he was seized by bandits who demanded a N100 million ransom after releasing his video to the public – pointing a gun at his head.

Some friends, family, and associates had called for financial support for him while he was in the captivity of his abductors.

The situation forced Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to order the immediate deployment of the Intelligence Response Team to secure Mr Ojajuni’s release. 

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