Ex-SGF, Olu Falae, admits paying ransom to kidnappers

A former Secretary to Government of the Federation, Olu Falae, on Monday confessed that his family paid ransom to his abductors before he was freed on Thursday.


According to him, the kidnappers only freed him after they received payment, adding that he trekked for 15 kilometres before he was picked up by the police in Owo, several kilometres from Akure, the Ondo State capital.

Olu Falae’s disclosure has put a lie to the claim by the Nigeria police that no ransom was paid before his release.

Details of Mr. Falae’s speech today will come shortly.


Background

Mr. Falae was released Thursday, four days after he was abducted by unknown gunmen.

The Ondo Police Public Relations Officer, Wole Ogodo, who confirmed his release on Thursday, said no ransom was paid for the release.

Mr. Falae’s abductors had demanded N100million ransom for his release, later reducing it to N90million.

Force Public Relations Officer, Olabisi Kolawole, also said in a statement Thursday night that the former minister was rescued after the Force launched aerial and land operations in search of the kidnappers.

She said the rescue operation, which began on Monday, the day the Afenifere chieftain was abducted, took the search party to all parts of Ondo state.

He said Mr. Falae was eventually rescued in Owo.

The chieftain of the Pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere and National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, was abducted last Monday at his Ilado farm along Igbatoro Road, Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State.

“The operation which started in the early hours of the aforementioned date, combed every nook and cranny of Ondo state till success was achieved in Owo,” Ms. Kolawole had said.

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