Agony Of A Father, A Year After Son’s Abduction

Aderemi Owolabi Ariye, 38, a staff of Grimaidi Compagnia di Navigazion SPA, Apapa, Lagos and a graduate of Ondo State Polytechnic, Owo was kidnapped by unknown gunmen at Ile-Iwe Bus Stop on April 3, 2009 around 10.30 pm. Till date, the man is yet to be found and that has put his entire family in disarray. ON April 3, 2009, Aderemi Owolabi Ariye, 38, a staff of Grimaidi Compagnia di Navigazion SPA Apapa, Lagos was attacked by four gunmen after he packed an unregistered Toyota Camry 2007 saloon car in front of a supermarket at 2 Liasu Road, Egbe, Lagos.

Witnesses said that he was about to step out of the car when the four unmasked gunmen, shooting sporadically into the air, swooped on him, collected the key of the car and whisked him away.

His father, Major Frederick Owolabi Ariye, 67, is still inconsolable . Ariye, who served the Nigerian Army for 35 years and retired recently to farming business, lamented: “It has been traumatic not seeing Aderemi for a year now and my rigorous search for him extended to Port Novo, Republic of Benin, where villagers there collected money from me to search for him, but all efforts to see my eldest son proved abortive.”

He disclosed that immediately the incident occurred, it was reported to the police and arrests were made. “But serious investigation lasted for just three weeks and up till date, we are still searching for my son. It is disheartening to note that the police have not been able to unravel the mystery behind my son’s kidnapping,” he said.

Ariye described his son as a loving and very hard working. “In fact, when I was traveling to the United Kingdom in September 2008, he couldn’t accompany me to the airport, nor was he able to welcome me when I returned a month later, all because of the commitment to his job. Very easy going child who can not hurt a fly, so I don’t understand why this should be happening to such a loving, promising man with two children and a wife.

“I saw him last on October 7, 2008 when I paid him a visit in his house at Egbe after my return from the United Kingdom. His children are yet to know the whereabouts of their father. I am even afraid of visiting the children because what will I say if they ask me about their father,?” he lamented.

He added: “Although we have not been able to get hold of anybody being responsible for this injustice, the Nigerian police and anybody who could help in this matter should please assist me in the search for my son. His kidnapping has put the entirely family in disarray especially his mother who has since been a pensioner, and his distraught wife and two children.”