Sad news emerges as the late Prof. Olorunfemi Olaofe, former Deputy Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, who was abducted on 9th July, has been tragically found deceased.
Reports reveal that the 79-year-old retired academic’s body was located in a shallow grave in a secluded area. The circumstances surrounding his passing are yet to be clarified, whether it was due to natural causes linked to his age or if he fell victim to foul play at the hands of his abductors.
The retired educator was taken from his residence together with his security detail on the aforementioned date, over three weeks ago, and driven away in his vehicle, which authorities later recovered following the kidnapping.
Sources indicate that the kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of N50 million, but afterwards, all communication ceased.
Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Adeniran Akinwale, verified Olaofe’s demise, stating, “Yes, the professor has been found deceased, and steps are being taken to retrieve the body for burial.
“While we have apprehended numerous individuals, the circumstances surrounding the incident are quite suspicious. We suspect internal involvement since the professor’s security personnel orchestrated the abduction.
“By abducting both individuals, including the professor, they sought to divert suspicion. Through our operation to save him, we have made several arrests. I cannot provide many details on the security guard, but we will provide the public with a comprehensive update in due time,” mentioned the police commissioner.
Throughout the search for the former academician, various groups such as the Are Ekiti Progressives Union, the Ekiti Council of Elders, and the Nigerian Universities Pensioners’ Association, EKSU Branch, had urged law enforcement agencies and the local government to escalate efforts in rescuing the elderly man alive.