EKSU’s former deputy VC found dead three weeks after abduction

The kidnapped former Deputy Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University (EKSU) Ado-Ekiti, Professor Olufemi Olaofe has been found dead in the state.

The 79-year-old Olaofe, a professor of chemistry from Are-Ekiti, Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state was kidnapped, alongside his security guard in his residence in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital on July 9, 2024.

While the gunmen had contacted the family asking for N50 million ransom to release the victim, it was gathered that the abductors later reduced it to N15 million.

It was however learned from family sources that the kidnappers couldn’t collect the ransom before the septuagenarian was found dead and buried in a shallow grave.

The President of Are-Ekiti Progressive Union (APU), Professor Femi Oke said the victim was found dead in a shallow grave along the airport road.

He said, “It is with heavy earth that we announce the untimely death of our Community Leader, Prof. Olorunfemi Olaofe, in our today’s meeting with the security agents of the government. His body was found in a shallow grave along Airport road.”

The Commissioner of Police, CP Adeniran Akinwale who confirmed the demise of the former DVC of the state-owned university, said some suspects in connection with the abduction had been arrested.

Akinwale in a chat with Nigerian Tribune on Wednesday commiserated with the family members and the community over the incident, assuring them that all perpetrators would soon be arrested.

The police boss said, ” Yes, the professor has been found dead and we are doing everything possible to exhume the body for burial.

“However, we have arrested so many people and you know the circumstances surrounding the incident and we suspected insider’s work in which the security man employed by the professor was the one who planned it.

“They (abductors) kidnapped the man with him so that we will not suspect. In the process of rescuing him, we have arrested some people. I can’t say much about the security guard, but at the appropriate time, we will brief the public.”

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