On Tuesday, gunmen kidnapped Professor Femi Olaofe, a former Deputy Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti (EKSU), from his home in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti state capital.
Olaofe, a Professor of Industrial Chemistry who recently retired from the Ekiti State University in Ado Ekiti is a native of Are-Ekiti, Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area.
An eyewitness, who sought anonymity, revealed that Professor Olaofe returned to Ado Ekiti on Monday after a short visit to Lagos to see his children.
“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 (EDAA) has asked the Ekiti State Police Command to do everything humanly possible to secure the release of the Don, as the kidnappers demand N50 million ransom.