A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, Wale Oriade, has been kidnapped by armed men in Ibadan, the state capital.
PUNCH Online gathered that the abduction occurred at about 7:06 p.m. on Wednesday at his office inside the PJ Square Shopping Complex, beside the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited station at Elewure, along Iyana Ajanla, Akala Expressway, New Garage, Ibadan.
Eyewitnesses reported that the assailants arrived in a blue Micra car with two occupants—a driver and an armed passenger—who forcefully seized Oriade and sped off with him in the same vehicle.
“The nature of the attack and the precision with which it was carried out have caused deep concern within his community,” the eyewitness said.
As of the time of filing this report, no ransom demand had been made, and Oriade’s location remained unknown.
In a statement issued in Ibadan on Thursday, the Oyo State chapter of the APC confirmed the incident and called for urgent intervention by the Nigeria Police Force. The statement, signed by APC Oyo South Senatorial Chairman Mojeed Olaoya and the State Youth Leader, John Aremu, urged security operatives to launch a swift, coordinated, and intelligence-led rescue effort.
The statement read, “A timely rescue will not only bring relief to Oriade’s family but also reassure the people of the state that the police command remains proactive and committed to the protection of lives and property. The party appreciates the efforts of the command in maintaining law and order and urges heightened vigilance during this critical time.”
Reacting separately, former Senate Leader and party chieftain Teslim Folarin condemned the abduction, describing it as shocking and unacceptable. He appealed to security agencies to intensify efforts to secure Oriade’s immediate and safe release.
“This is a deeply troubling development. I urge our security operatives to deploy all necessary intelligence and resources to secure his prompt release. My prayers are with his family during this difficult time,” Folarin said.
He further stressed the need for stronger security collaboration across the state to curb the rising spate of kidnappings and urged residents to remain calm while offering credible information that could assist the rescue operation.
