Falae: Fasehun orders manhunt for kidnappers

The founder of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Dr. Frederick Fasehun, has ordered his lieutenants to launch a manhunt for the kidnappers of Chief Olu Falae, who was abducted on Monday in Akure, Ondo State.

The kidnappers have reportedly demanded a ransom of N100 million. Fasehun frowned at the fact that 24 hours following the kidnap, the Federal Government was yet to officially react to the incident.

According to Fasehun, he had already ordered OPC operatives to immediately launch a manhunt for the kidnappers and rescue the politician.

The men were also expected to comb all nooks and crannies of Ondo State and beyond for the kidnapped politician.

He said: “When we heard that Falae was kidnapped, we thought it was impossible, as kidnappers would not be mad enough to kidnap a man of peace, a man who has selflessly served Nigeria. Falae is by any standard, a leader of the Yoruba people, a leader of Nigeria and a significant leader in Africa. He is a leader of Afenifere. He was a leader of NADECO. And any assault on him is an assault on Nigeria and Nigerians.”

Fasehun described the kidnap as an assault and insult on the Yoruba people, and challenged security operatives and agencies to produce Falae within 48 hours.

The OPC chieftain said: “OPC is not interested in crisis but it was founded primarily for the protection of its own and for building bridges in Nigeria. All lovers of Nigerian unity like OPC, communal peace and national progress must rise up to this challenge. Eyewitnesses indicated that Falae was taken by strangers, just like the wife of the Sun Newspapers Executive Director, Mrs. Toyin Nwosu, abducted last week in Lagos.”

Fasehun who turned 80 yesterday said that Falae was his birthday mate, adding: “At my turning 80, the entire world would expect me to be a bridge builder. And I have prepared myself to be just that. But if any missile is thrown at you, and it is likely to affect your eyeball, you must avoid it at all costs. This is my view of the insult now being unleashed, being flung at Nigeria by the enemies of Nigeria’s unity.”

Recalling that Falae had rendered “impeccable” service to the country as a Permanent Secretary, then Minister of Finance and Secretary to the Federal Government, Fasehun described the victim’s current ordeal as uncharitable.

Recalling that Falae, as the Olu of Oba-Ile, was the ruling monarch of his homestead, Fasehun urged all traditional rulers in Nigeria to also rise up for his release.

The OPC President noted: “We believe this is a political issue. And any politician in Nigeria must make sure that Chief Olu Falae is released immediately! Otherwise OPC will take any step available to defend its own!”