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President Muhammadu Buhari has directed Inspector-General of Police Solomon Arase and other security agencies to take all necessary action to ensure the safe and speedy rescue of Chief Olu Falae, who was abducted from his farm on Monday. He also condemned the “callous and reprehensible” kidnapping of the 77-year-old former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and an elder statesman. The president called for constant updates from the police and security agencies on efforts to rescue Chief Falae. He denounced the recurring incidents of criminal abductions across the country.

Buhari, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, assured Chief Falae’s family, friends and other concerned Nigerians that the Federal Government will do all within its powers to ensure his swift release. The president assured Nigerians that ongoing efforts to significantly enhance the security of lives and property in the country will continue apace and that under his leadership, Nigerians, irrespective of their status, will no longer be left at the mercy of criminal elements.

The Ondo State police urged the family of the elder statesman not to pay any ransom as demanded by his abductors. The abductors slashed N10 million off the N100 million they initially demanded. A family source said on Tuesday that they had only been able to raise N2 million. Police Spokesman Wole Ogodo said police will not support the idea of paying ransom before the release of the elder statesmen. Ogodo noted that  the police’s rescue team led by Commissioner of Police  Mike Ogbodu, was working hard at rescuing Falae alive.

While the rescue mission is ongoing, a 70-year-old pastor in charge of the Apostolic Church in Ilepa, Ikare-Akoko, was yesterday kidnapped along the Auga-Akunnu road in Akoko Norh East local government area of the state. The suspected gunmen demanded N16million as ransom. The Divisional Police Officer (DP0) in Akoko North East, Musiliu Sogbade, confirmed the abduction. Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the local government, Alhaji Azees Umar, urged the security agents to rescue the cleric.

Also yesterday, the headship of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) called for divine intervention in Falae’s abduction. At the Standing Committee Meeting (SCM) of the Church held at the St. David Anglican Cathedral, Ijomu, Akure chaired by the Primate of All Nigeria, Rev. Nicholas Okoh, the church expressed dismay over the development. The SCM is made up of Archbishops from various Provinces and over 80 Bishops from across Anglican Dioceses across the country. Chief Falae is the Chairman, Local Organising Commitee(LOC) for the Conference hosted by the Akure Diocese.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state also warned against politicisation of the abduction of the elder statesman. The APC said those imputing politics into the kidnap of Chief Falae should rather join hands with family, friends and the good people of Ondo state to pray for the safe release of Chief Falae. Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Mr. Abayomi Adesanya, said people should rather pray for the release of the elder statesman instead of imputing politics towards further destabilizing Nigeria.