The Nigeria Police Force, Oyo State Command, has confirmed the release of Prof Adigun Agbaje, a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan. He was kidnapped on Friday along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Adewale Osifeso, the police spokesperson told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan. The university don along with other travellers, including two female students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, were on Friday night kidnapped by gunmen in military uniform.
According to Osifeso, Agbaje is currently undergoing debriefing, saying an update will be provided on the matter. He did not give details about the release of other kidnapped travellers.
According to NAN, the two students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, identified as Olayemi Adejare and Oluwatobi Orekoya and Agbaje, were picked up on Sunday night at a location near Sat Guru Maharaji area on Ibadan-Lagos Expressway.
The abductors had earlier contacted Agbaje’s family for a ransom of N50 million for his release, while they demanded N10 million each for release of the two students. They later reduced that of the students to N2 million each.
In the meantime, Prof Agbaje has in a statement thanked all those who raised concern over his kidnap.
Full statement reads:
*Personal note of appreciation from Prof Adigun Agbaje*
“It’s a new day today and I’m happy to be alive. I was released by my kidnappers yesterday evening after spending two nights in the thick forests of Ogun and Oyo states. My mind goes to the five others who are still left with the kidnappers: two young ladies, two young men and a middle aged person. I was shot at in the head during the abduction process. I thank God that the bullet that went through my car’s windscreen left only a skin-deep wound on my head even though it left a gaping hole in the cap I was wearing. I did not even know about this till Saturday morning when I saw caked blood on my cap.
“I am undergoing comprehensive health checks and so it may take some time to thank all my family, including my in-laws, friends and in-laws to my children, my own friends, colleagues and all Nigerians.
“For now I want to thank the following former and current Vice Chancellors of the University of Ibadan: Prof Olufemi Bamiro, Prof Isaac Adewole, Prof Idowu Olayinka and Prof Kayode Adebowale, my colleagues at the University of Ibadan and other Universities at home and abroad, current and former students, including Mr Fisayo Soyombo, for their wonderful support and generosity to my family, top government, military, and other security officials. I am quite grateful for all your efforts. You all kept hope alive and ensured that the sensitive negotiations came to a successful end when I regained freedom yesterday evening. As stated earlier, my heart goes to those young female undergraduates, the young men and the middle-aged person I left behind with the kidnappers. I may not be reachable now but as soon as I get medical clearance from my doctors, I will be thanking all of you personally.”
Adewale Agbaje
31st October 2022
