Nigerian Police Lied, Ex-Minister Olu Falae Admits Paying Ransom To Kidnappers

A former Secretary to Government of the Federation, Olu Falae, on Monday confessed that his family paid ransom to his abductors before he was freed on Thursday, contrary to the claims by the Nigerian Police.

In a statement issued shortly after Falae’s release, it reads, “The rescue of Chief Olu Falae from his captives on September 24th, 2015 was made possible as the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Solomon E. Arase, fdc NPM coordinated both aerial and land operations to ensure the freedom of the former presidential candidate of the SDP.”

The Police added that “the IGP moved in some Technical teams to reinforce the efforts of Ondo State Police Command. The team started the operation in the early hours of the aforementioned date, combed every nook and cranny of Ondo state till success was achieved in Owo.”

But according to accounts by the Elders Statesman, the kidnappers only freed him after they received payment, adding that he trekked for 15 kilometres before he was picked up by the police in Owo, several kilometres from Akure, the Ondo State capital.

The former minister’s disclosure has put a lie to the claim by the Nigeria police that no ransom was paid before his release.

Olu Falae was Monday kidnapped on his farm at Ilado Village in Akure North Local Government area of Ondo State. Coincidentally, the incident took place on his birthday.

The former Secretary to Government of the Federation had also revealed that six Fulani herdsmen kidnapped him on Monday and made him trek 30km from Ilado where he was taken, to Owo.

He also said he was made to sleep in the bush for three days as the kidnappers changed their locations every four hours.