There is concern in Oye-Ekiti, headquarters of Oye Local Government Area of Ekiti State, about the continued abduction of their illustrious son, Senator Ayodele Arise.
Arise was kidnapped last Sunday on the Okene-Lokoja Road on his way to Abuja.
His abductors have demanded a ransom of N80 million to set him free.
The politician represented Ekiti North in the Sixth Senate between 2007 and 2011 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) shortly before the 2015 general election and has joined the 2018 governorship race in Ekiti State.
Arise’s abduction threw his hometown into gloom; his kinsmen have urged security agencies to ensure that he is released unhurt and unconditionally.
The Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, who chairs Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba Michael Oluwole Ademolaju, described Arise’s abduction as “shocking”.
The monarch, who set aside his full regalia since Arise was kidnapped, said he was making contacts with the appropriate authorities to facilitate the senator’s release.
Oba Ademolaju said: “I used to be well dressed, but because of the incident (Arise’s abduction), I no longer put on my full royal dresses.
“I have been going round to garner support for his release.
“Our efforts are not in Ekiti alone. Even at Abuja (federal) level, everything has gone there. We are also making contacts in other parts of the federation to make sure that he is released.”
A visit to Irare Quarters at Oye, where Arise was born, showed that the community has not come to terms with the seizure of their benefactor.
Some residents blamed his abduction on “bad road network in Nigeria” while others attributed it to poor security system.
They were concerned that Arise had spent five days in kidnappers’ den.
A resident, Femi Afolabi, described Arise’s abduction as a “calculated attempt to thwart his governorship ambition”.
Police Commissioner Abdullahi Chafe said efforts were in top gear to ensure the safe release of the senator.