By Chukwudi Nweje
The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Mr. Philip Aivoji, was abducted on Thursday evening. The state PDP Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Hakeem Amode said in a statement on Friday that Aivoji was abducted on Thursday, at about 6.00 p.m. on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway while returning from a stakeholders meeting in Oyo State convened by Gov. Seyi Makinde and Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun.
The party called on security agencies and government authorities to intervene promptly and secure the release of its abducted Chairman, Mr. Aivoji.
“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,” Amode 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.
Adediran, in a statement by his spokesman, Mr Gbenga Ogunleye, recounted that Aivoji and some other members of the party were kidnapped while on their way from a party function in Ibadan on Thursday.
He described the incident as unfortunate and a disturbing dimension to the growing insecurity in the country, especially in the south western part of the country.
According to him, the government must intensify efforts in the area of security to end putting the lives of the citizens in grave danger.