President directs IGP to ensure Falae’s release

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase, and other security agencies to take all necessary actions to ensure safe and speedy rescue of former Secretary to the Federal Government, Chief Olu Falae, from kidnappers who abducted him from his farm on Monday.

The directive followed the briefing the President received on the incident, which he described as callous and inhuman.

In a statement by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, Buhari condemned “the callous and reprehensible kidnapping of the former Minister of Finance and elder statesman.

“The President assures Chief Falae’s family, friends and other concerned Nigerians that the Federal Government will do all within its powers to ensure his swift release.

“President Buhari, who has requested constant update from the police and security agencies on efforts to find and rescue Chief Falae, also denounce the recurring incidents of criminal abductions across the country.”

According to Adesina, the President assured all Nigerians that ongoing efforts to significantly enhance the security of lives and property in the country will continue apace and that under his leadership, Nigerians, irrespective of their status, will no longer be left at the mercy of criminal elements.

A visit to the family of Falae yesterday revealed that members were making preparations to pay the N100 million ransom demanded by the kidnappers.

The first son, Dapo Falae, told journalists that the family was making arrangements, though he said the money was too enormous.

He said the family was planning the second remembrance of his younger brother, Deji Falae, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism who lost his life in the tragic plane crash during the burial of the late governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu on October 3, 2013, when the kidnap of his father happened.

Sympathisers from all walks of life, far and near, have been frequenting the Falae’s family home, praying to God that the elder statesman returns home safely.

High Chief James Olusoga, the Lisa of Akure, said the chiefs-in-council would soon meet the Fulani community renowned for cattle grazing and rearing in Akure and its suburb over the incident before they would know the subsequent action to take on the matter.

Falae’s driver, who is simply identified as David and whose Hilux van was shot at the farm, confirmed that the Fulani actually perpetrated the kidnap.

“Baba sent me on an errand, on my coming back to the farm, I heard several gun shots. Immediately, I put my gear in reverse, one of them wanted to shoot me but due to the speed, the bullet hit the screen which made them to wound the manager, Mr. Bruno,” he said.

The Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh, urged government at all levels to establish a special task force in the bush to get rid of incessant kidnapping and insecurity in the country.

Okoh gave the advice yesterday in Akure, the capital of Ondo State during the Standing Committee meeting, where over 180 bishops across the nation converged to deliberate on the theme: “Look and Live.”

Okoh, in reaction to the spate of kidnapping and insecurity in the nation, particularly, the recent kidnap of Falae, who is the chairman of the local organising committee of the event, noted that insecurity is a global phenomenon which has adversely threatened the peace of the nation. He listed Al-Queada, ISIS, Boko Haram, Al-Shabaab in Europe, Nigeria and Somalia respectively.

“They have different names in different environments. But the whole thing is that government has responsibility for security, in fact, that is the primary duty of government, to ensure that people are protected and well defended so that they don’t fall into harm, “ he said.

The Primate said though there are some imperfections in the fight towards global peace, “but with what is happening in the pursuit of Boko Haram, the government is set to defeat it.”

Okoh, who said he has not given any thought to granting of amnesty to Boko Haram, described kidnapping as a serious element of insecurity militating against peace in Nigeria.

“If the government can tackle insecurity, then all the people who are in different bushes capturing people and who have arms will all disappear.

“So, there should be a Task Force to check the bushes and ensure that these people are disarmed.”