The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Prince Eniola Ojajuni

  • Ojajuni: IGP orders deployment of FID-IRT team to rescue Afenifere youth leader

    Ojajuni: IGP orders deployment of FID-IRT team to rescue Afenifere youth leader

    …police rescue kidnapped victims in Oyo, recovers arms

    The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate deployment of the FID-Intelligence Response Team (IRT) tactical team to ensure the safe rescue of Prince Eniola Ojajuni, the Afenifere youth leader, who was kidnapped on February 17, 2025, while en route to Abuja.

    According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the NPF is fully committed to the safe return of Prince Ojajuni and is deploying all necessary resources and expertise to achieve this objective.

    He, however, urged members of the public to exercise caution and refrain from engaging in social media speculation or sharing unverified information regarding the ongoing rescue efforts.

    IGP said such activities can inadvertently jeopardize the operation and potentially endanger the safety of the victim adding that the Nigeria Police Force will continue to actively pursue and dismantle all criminal elements operating within our communities in the ultimate goal to establish peace and safety.

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    Adejobi also noted that in line with the ongoing efforts of the Nigeria Police Force to combat crime, particularly organized crime, the Force has made significant breakthroughs, including the recovery of illegal firearms, the arrest of suspects, and the rescue of kidnapping victims.

    He said: “These successes underscore the commitment of the police force to ensuring the safety and security of the good citizens of our dear country.

    “Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force across the country have geared up efforts in combatting various sorts of organized crime including banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery and the like.

    In Taraba State, Police Operatives acting on credible intelligence, successfully stormed a criminal hideout in the Wamunchi dry season rice farms on February 26, 2025.

    “The operation resulted in the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, seven rounds of live ammunition, the arrest of twenty (20) male suspects, and the recovery of one motorcycle, three Dane guns, and a bow and arrow. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation and the suspects are currently being profiled.

    “Meanwhile, in Oyo State, following a report of a kidnapping incident at Agede Village, Moniya, Ibadan on February 25, 2025, a coordinated response by the tactical teams of the Oyo State Police Command, and local security outfits, resulted in the safe rescue of three abductees: Olori Hakimat Sadia, ‘F’ 50 yrs, Olori Rakyat ‘F’ 45 yrs, and Monsuru Ganiyu ‘M’ 20 yrs, who were all abducted from the palace of Baale Tajudeen Inaolaji on February 24, 2025, by ten armed men, and the arrest of one of the abductors.

    The IGP, he said commended the bravery and swift action of the gallant officers who have demonstrated their commitment as police officers to ensuring the safety and security of citizens.

  • How driver escaped kidnappers of Ojajuni in Ondo

    How driver escaped kidnappers of Ojajuni in Ondo

    A bus driver, Ali Isah, has narrated how he escaped gunmen who kidnapped Afenifere Youth Council President, Prince Eniola Ojajuni, last week Monday in Ondo state.

    In a video exclusively obtained by The Nation, the driver who suffered gunshot injury from the kidnappers said the incident occurred at Akuni, an Ondo bother town in Kogi State.

    Narrating how the incident occurred, Isah said his bus had 18 passengers who were going to Kano from Akure that fateful day, adding that as soon as they passed the checkpoints mounted by security operatives, they noticed a Hummer bus was advancing in the opposite direction.

    “When the bus got closer to us, the bandits opened fire. They were shooting. At first, I didn’t know that I had been shot in my leg until they had left.

    “They used the Hummer bus to pack people into the bush. It happened at Akuni in Ondo State, near Ayare in Kogi State.

    “When I realized that bullet hit my leg, I kept it on the throttle and continued to drive until I entered Kogi State.

    “Because I was bleeding, I lost consciousness and when I woke up, I saw that I was at the hospital receiving treatment,” he said.

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    The Nation gathered that the driver was discovered unconscious with bullet wounds by policemen from Ayare Division in Kogi who immediately commenced efforts to stabilize him.

    A source told our Correspondent that as soon as he was discovered, the Commissioner of Police in Kogi was contacted about his situation and he directed that he should be given immediately medical attention to stabilize him.

    “The CP directed that we must ensure he is stabilized so that he can be questioned. After stabilizing him, the man narrated how he escaped from kidnappers in Akuni and so, the CP asked that the division should contact the Akuni Police Station where the incident happened so that they will take the driver’s statement.

    “We did not know that Ojajuni was a victim of that incident. We just did our job and ensured that an unconscious man with bullet injury received treatment and regained consciousness and the division where the incident occurred was notified so they can carry on with their investigation,” said the source.

    Meanwhile, a coalition of Yoruba Youth Leaders on Monday night added their voice to the call for Ojajuni’s release, urging President Bola Tinubu to marshal all available resources and direct the full might of our security apparatus to secure the immediate and unconditional release of Ojajuni.

    A statement signed by the National Secretary, Akeem Adeleke, also appealed to Southwest governors to collaborate and employ all necessary measures to ensure that Prince Ojajuni is rescued from his captors without delay.

    It solicited the intervention of prominent traditional rulers from the southwest, adding that they should leverage their esteemed positions to advocate for the swift liberation of Prince Ojajuni.

    The coalition confirmed that the kidnappers had escalated their demands insisting that two tricycles must be added to the N100 million earlier requested with a “menacing deadline set for Tuesday (today), at 3 PM. Failure to comply, they assert, will result in the execution of Prince Ojajuni.

    “This alarming ultimatum exacerbates the perilous situation and amplifies the urgency of immediate intervention.

    “Prince Ojajuni is not merely a leader; he embodies the aspirations and vigor of our youth, tirelessly championing the cause of the Yoruba people with unparalleled dedication and fervor.

    “His abduction is not just a personal tragedy but a grievous affront to the collective conscience of our race and the nation at large.

    “The scourge of kidnapping has cast a long and ominous shadow over our nation, instilling fear and eroding the sense of security that is the bedrock of any thriving society. “The liberation of Prince Ojajuni will not only reaffirm our collective resolve against such nefarious acts but also serve as a resounding testament to our unyielding commitment to justice and the protection of our citizens.

    “Time is of the essence. Each moment that Prince Ojajuni remains in captivity deepens the anguish of his family, friends, and the broader community.

    “We earnestly plead for your immediate intervention to bring this harrowing ordeal to a swift and just conclusion,” the statement added.

  • Kidnappers raise ransom, threaten to kill Afenifere Youth leader

    Kidnappers raise ransom, threaten to kill Afenifere Youth leader

    Kidnappers of Afenifere Youth Leader, Prince Eniola Ojajuni yesterday added two tricycles to the N100 million ransom earlier demanded for his release, The Nation has learnt.

    It was gathered that the criminals increased their demand, citing delays in fulfilling the initial N100million they requested at the weekend.

    Ojajuni was kidnapped between Ondo and Kogi states while on his way to Abuja on Monday, last week , a source confirmed to our correspondent last night.

    The kidnappers, who whisked him away, allegedly shot him and earlier threatened to kill him by 3pm yesterday if the ransom was not paid.

    A viral video on the social media yesterday showed Ojajuni appealing to Nigerians to come to his rescue by raising the demanded ransom so he would stay alive.

    The video showed the distressed Afenifere youth leader pleading for his life with a kidnapped pointing an AK47 rifle at his chest.

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    “Nigerians, please help me! Your donation - N100,000, N50,000, or N1,000,000 - can go a long way in saving my life. My name is Prince Eniola Ojajuni. God bless you. Aderohunmu, please help me spread this video,” he begged.

    One of the leaders of the socio-cultural group, Kayode Ojodu, who spoke to our correspondent last night, said the kidnappers said they would kill him by 3pm today (Tuesday) should they fail to raise the money.

    “No, he was not kidnapped in Abuja. He was kidnapped between Ondo and Kogi states while on his way to Abuja. I have just got information that he was allowed to speak to his wife today and that they have extended the deadline to 3pm tomorrow for the money to be paid or they kill him.’’