Primebaze.com.ng Born on September 21, 1938, the
former Finance minister was
kidnapped by over 20 Fulani
herdsmen who invaded his farm
and attacked his over 200
workers. Many of his workers
including the farm Manager
identified as Bruno were
matcheted while others were
reportedly wounded and are on
admission in different hospitals.
Reports from the family said that
the fulani herdsmen have been
having issues with the workers
in the farm over the grazing and
the destruction of the farmland
by their cows.
The herdsmen reportedly came
back on Monday in large number
and attacked the farm before
abducting the politician. On
arrival the herdsmen shot
indiscriminately into the air, a
situation which made the
workers to flee to different
directions. They reportedly beat
up the National chairman of the
Social Democratic Party SDP and
dragged him on the floor when
he refused to go with them.
Police source however said that
the Fulani herdsmen may have
been used by other interested
party who have requested for a
ransom.
The herdsmen according to the
police source may have been
paid off and the victim handed
over to those who have made
contact with the family after
carrying out the hatchet job.
Speaking with newsmen, the
spokesman of the SDP in the
state, Remi Olayiwola said that
the abductors have contacted the
wife of the victim Mrs Rachel
Falae and requested for N100m
ransom expected to be paid
before the end of work on
Tuesday. Olayiwola said that the
accent of those who contacted
the wife of their National
chairman was that of the fulani.
Newsmen were barred from
entry into his residence located
along Oba-ile in Akure metropolis
while other sympathizers and
party members gained free
access into the compound. The
state police
authorities confirmed that the
Fulani herdsmen invaded the
farm, attacked, wounded and
beat up the former Minister
before whisking him away to an
unknown destination.
Spokesman for the state
command, Wole Ogodo said
that Chief Falae was taken away
while some of his staff were
seriously wounded. Ogodo
pointed out that in a swift
response no fewer than 50
policemen had been deployed to
the area to search for him. He
added that until the search party
led by the Deputy Commissioner
of Police, operation Ishola
Abdulahi, the command would
not be able to ascertain the
whereabouts of the
septuagenarian politician The
police spokesman said it was too
hasty to conclude that the
politician was kidnapped.