Kidnapped varsity ex-DVC found dead in Ekiti

The former Vice-Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Professor Olorunfemi Olaofe, who was abducted on July 9, has been found dead.

According to sources, the body of the 79-year-old retired university teacher was found in a shallow grave in a remote area. However, it is unclear whether he died of natural causes related to his age or whether he was murdered by his kidnappers.

The retired don was abducted from his house three weeks ago on July 9 along with his security guard, and his car was taken away, which the police said they recovered a few days after the abduction incident.

Sources said the kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of 50 million Nigerian Naira and later became uncontactable.

The Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Command, Adeniran Akinwale, confirmed the death of Olaofe, saying: “Yes, the professor has been found dead, and we are making all efforts to bury the body.”

“However, we have arrested several people, and you are familiar with the circumstances surrounding the incident. We suspect the involvement of an insider, as the security guard employed by the professor planned it.

The Police Commissioner said, “They (kidnappers) kidnapped the man along with him so that we would not get suspicious. In the process of rescuing him, we have detained some people. I cannot say much about the security guard but we will give information to the people at the appropriate time.”

During the search for the former university teacher, members of the Are Ekiti Progressives Union, Ekiti Council of Elders and the Nigerian University Pensioners Association, EKSU branch, had called on security agencies and the state government to intensify efforts to rescue the old man alive.