Tired, weak Falae regains freedom from kidnappers

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Chief Olu Falae has regained his freedom from his captors who abducted him from his farm in Ilado village, Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, demanding N100million for his realse.

He arrived at his private house in Ilu Abo, Akure, at about 4.40 pm Thursday after spending three days in the enclave of his captors.

Before getting home, Chief Falae it was learnt, held discussion with the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, who relocated to Akure, the Ondo State capital following President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive that the police and other security agencies must ensure that Falae is freed ‘swiftly and unhurt.’

On his release released, the National Chairman of Social Democratic Party (SDP) is said to have trekked several kilometers from his farm to a hotel in Owo town, where he met with the security agents that took him home.

It was a joyous occasion as the jubilant crowd of supporters, well wishers, friends and family members cheered him, singing and dancing in appreciation of his safe return from the kidnappers’ enclave.

Eye witnesses said Chief Falae looked tired and weak on arrival at his home, accompanied by the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase; the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 11, Kalafite Adeyemi; and the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Mike Ogbodu, among others.

The former Finance Minister said he slept on bare floor while in the custody of his abductors. He told the Ondo state Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, who paid him a visit at his residence, that when he told the kidnappers that his family could raise N2m against the N100m the abductors demanded, they rejected it.

He said the kidnappers told him, “Is it Boko Haram you are giving N2m to?”

The IGP, Arase, expressed joy that the septuagenarian and politician was rescued alive and in good health, even as he declined to reveal how the rescue mission was carried out, stated, “I cannot tell you, this is not for you; it is purely security matter, but I am happy he is rescued alive.”