Residents of Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State have heaved a sigh of relief after the kidnapped Vice Chairman of the council, Mrs Grace Ogunleye, was rescued unhurt by joint security operatives following intense pressure mounted on her abductors.
The council official was reportedly abducted on Wednesday along the Ipere–Iludun Ekiti Road by suspected gunmen, throwing the community into panic and raising fresh concerns over the growing insecurity in parts of the state. Reports indicated that her vehicle was later discovered abandoned while her mobile phone became unreachable shortly after the incident, sparking fears among residents and political associates.
Confirming her rescue on Thursday, the spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force in Ekiti State, Sunday Abutu, disclosed that the breakthrough came through a coordinated operation involving the police, military personnel, other security agencies and local vigilante groups. According to him, security operatives launched an aggressive rescue mission and intensified pressure on the kidnappers, forcing them to release the victim unharmed. ..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Micheal Falade, has reportedly ordered a full investigation into the incident to uncover those responsible for the abduction and determine the circumstances surrounding the attack. Authorities also assured residents that efforts were ongoing to strengthen security surveillance across vulnerable routes in the area.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the security challenges facing communities in Ekiti State, especially within the Ilejemeje axis, which has witnessed several violent attacks and kidnappings in recent months. Just weeks ago, armed men invaded a church programme in the same local government area, killed a pastor and abducted several worshippers, with reports later emerging that kidnappers demanded a huge ransom for their release.
Residents and community leaders have continued to call on both the state and federal governments to intensify security operations and provide stronger protection for rural communities increasingly exposed to criminal attacks. While many have praised the swift response that led to Ogunleye’s rescue, concerns remain over the persistent wave of kidnappings and violent assaults troubling several parts of the country.
The successful rescue operation has nevertheless been welcomed as a major relief for the family of the vice chairman, political stakeholders and residents of the local government, many of whom feared the situation could have ended tragically.
