Lagos State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Philip Aivoji, has been kidnapped.
The Star learnt that Aivoji was kidnapped on Thursday, January 25, 2024 at Ogere area along Lagos/Ibadan Expressway.
The party chairman was reportedly coming from the PDP South-West Zonal meeting held in Ibadan on Thursday.
The abductors are demanding N200m ransom
Another member of the Lagos State PDP Exco who was said to have escaped is presently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.
The Lagos State PDP Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Hakeem Amode, confirmed the abduction in a statement on Friday.
“Aivoji was abducted on Thursday, January 25 at about 6.00 p.m. on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway while returning from a stakeholders’ meeting in Oyo State convened by Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Ademola Adeleke (Osun).
“It is disheartening that kidnapping has become a prevalent issue in our country, and the government’s inability to address this menace is deeply concerning.
“The abduction of Aivoji underscores the pressing need for decisive actions from the government and stakeholders to eradicate this menace.
“Aivoji’s abduction was a violent incident, and his current whereabouts or any communication from the abductors remain unknown.
“We implore the governments of Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos states alongside security agencies, to expedite efforts and secure his safe return to his family and well-wishers,” he said.
The PDP spokesman said that with increased efforts from security agencies, Aivoji would be rescued from these criminals.
“We call on the public to support initiatives aimed at ending this threat to innocent lives,” he said
Similarly, Dr Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, the PDP 2023 governorship candidate, who expressed shock over the news of kidnapping of the party chairman, demanded urgent action against insecurity