The former secretary to government of the federation ,SGF, Chief Olu Falae, yesterday regained his freedom from his abductors who kept him in their den for four days.
Falae who was abducted on his birthday by gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen at his farm at Ilado Village in Akure North local government area of the state, also narrated his ordeal in the hands of his abductors.
He revealed that it was hell being in the kidnappers' den because he was forced to sleep on the bare floor for the four days that he spent with them.
In his discussion with the Ondo State governor Olusegun Mimiko, who paid him a visit at his Oba-Ile residence, Falae said when he told kidnappers that his family could only raise N2million out of the N100million they demanded, they rejected it and queried, "Is it Boko Haram you are giving N2million to?"
All efforts to officially speak with him were disallowed by his children who kept saying "go back; Baba wants to rest; he cannot talk to you now".
But the Afenifere chieftain was said to have disclosed to his close associates and family that he was made to trek from Ilado to Owo, which is a distance of about 30 kilometres.
The source said, "Baba has just narrated his ordeal to some of us. His abductors made him trek from his farm to Owo. Baba also said he was sleeping on the ground since his kidnap.
"We can't say if any ransom was paid for his release. According to Baba, when he told the kidnappers that his family only had N2million, they asked him if he thought the amount was enough for Boko Haram."
The inspector general of police, Solomon Arase, said no ransom was paid before the Afenifere chieftain secured his freedom, adding that policemen had been making efforts to rescue Falae since Monday.
The police boss did not deny or confirm the arrest of any of the kidnappers, saying he would disclose that later.
He said, "Security challenges like this are a new trend. They are an emerging trend. It is not only localised in Nigeria. It is a global thing. We are going to devise strategies to ensure that hoodlums cannot overwhelm any state in the country. It is not possible.
"We will continue to disgrace them; we will continue to catch them. Right from Monday when he was kidnapped, policemen had been working underground. No ransom was paid. I will let you know if anybody was apprehended later."
Also speaking, Governor Mimiko expressed happiness at the rescue of Falae.
Mimiko said, "We are happy he is back. We thank God he is back both safe and sound. We are just happy that he is back. I was praying he would come back safely because there could be very deep security dimensions to it.
"So, we thank God he is back. Naturally, one is also worried as a Nigerian that the issue of kidnapping is taking another dimension in Nigeria.
"Somebody of his pedigree was taken away from his farm while working on the farm. For us, these are very serious security challenges. And I think we must address this."
It was like the Biblical triumphant entry for the elder statesman as he was cheered by scores of his friends, family and people of Ilu Abo town, where he is a traditional ruler. The people were singing and dancing to welcome the arrival of their patriarch.
How IGP coordinated Land, Air Operations To Free Falae
The Nigeria Police Force has revealed how the Inspector -General of Police , Mr Solomon Arase, personally coordinated the aerial and land operations that resulted in the successful rescue of Falae from his abductors.
According to a statement by the force spokesperson, Olabisi Kolawole, Arase coordinated both operations to ensure freedom for the former secretary to the federal government.
Falae was kidnapped four days ago by suspected Fulani herdsmen from his home in Owo, Ondo State.
But the development prompted President Muhammadu Buhari to issue an ultimatum to the IGP to ensure his immediate release from the kidnappers' den.
"The rescue of Chief Olu Falae from his captors on September 24, 2015 was made possible as the IGP Solomon Arase, coordinated both aerial and land operations to ensure the freedom of the former presidential candidate of the SDP.
"The operation which started in the early hours of the aforementioned date, combed every nook and cranny of Ondo State till success was achieved in Owo," Kolawole said.
The spokesperson further said the IGP later reunited Falae with his family and warned that the police and other security agencies are everywhere to deal decisively with miscreants who intend to test the capabilities of the Force.
Pointing out that the police would leave no stone unturned to arrest the perpetrators who were still on the run, Kolawole also said that Olu Falae was hale and hearty at the time of his rescue.
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