Adebayo Adenrele
Suspected gunmen on Tuesday kidnapped a former deputy Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti (EKSU), Professor Femi Olaofe in his residence at Housing Estate, Ado- Ekiti, Ekiti State Capital.
Olaofe, a native of Are-Ekiti, Irepodun/Ifelodun local government, was a Professor of Industrial Chemistry before his recent retirement from the Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti.
An Eyewitness who craved anonymity disclosed that Professor Olaofe returned to Ado Ekiti on Monday after a short visit to Lagos, where he had gone to see his children.
The source said, ”We saw him on Monday when he returned from his trip to Lagos. We greeted and exchanged pleasantries. We also saw his gateman, who lives with him. As a retired Professor, his house is very calm and always quiet. We have been neighbours for a long time. Anytime he drives out he will always wait to say hello.
” On Tuesday, we noticed that the gate of his house was left opened. This was strange, because the gate is always closed. We approached the gate with the intention to call the security man to shut the gate. We called the security man, there was no answer.
” We made our way into the living room, as we got closer, we noticed the door to the living room was widely opened. We shouted Professor thrice! There was no response. We decided to go around the compound, and yet we couldn’t find anyone. At this point we became suspicious that something had happened. We thereafter, decided to approach the Divisional Police Station, Housing Estate where we made a report.
” The police quickly swung into action.
” It was yesterday that we had a report of how some kidnappers came into his house and demanded for the key to his car. We learnt that he was taken away in the car along with his security man.”
Meanwhile, the Are- Ekiti Development Association (ÀŔEDAA) has charged the Ekiti State Police Command to do everything humanly possible to secure the release of the Ekiti University Don, as the gunmen are demanding for N50m ransom.