Chieftain

  A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, Wale Oriade, on Thursday recounted his harrowing experience following his release last Saturday after 39 days in captivity. Oriade, in a statement issued in Ibadan, the state capital, revealed that his abductors spoke fluent English and never disclosed their tribe or identity. Oriade was kidnapped on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, around 7:06 p.m. at his office located at PJ Square Shopping Complex, beside the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited station, Elewure, along Iyana Ajanla, Akala Expressway, New Garage, Ibadan. Eyewitnesses said the attackers arrived in a blue Nissan Micra vehicle with two occupants—a driver and an armed man—who forcibly seized Oriade and whisked him away in the same vehicle. “The nature of the attack and the precision with which it was carried out have caused deep concern within his community,” an eyewitness said. Oriade expressed deep gratitude to party leaders, the media, security agencies and well-meaning Nigerians who stood by him during what he described as a difficult and mysterious period. The party chieftain explained, “A Nissan Micra vehicle blocked my car. Four gunmen carrying AK-47 rifles dragged me into their car, covered my face with a cap, and put headphones on me playing loud music while they drove around the city for several hours before we arrived at the place where I was kept in an apartment. “During my ordeal, they interrogated me about my work, family and past engagements. After several weeks in captivity, they began demanding ransom from my family, eventually claiming that an agreement had been reached.” He added, “On January 10, 2026, I was released in a similar manner to my abduction—blindfolded, driven around the city, and dropped off somewhere in Ibadan. I was shocked by the massive support I received.” Oriade noted that even while in captivity, his abductors commented on the widespread media attention his abduction generated. “They told me, ‘Everywhere is full of your story. How can you be this popular and say you don’t have money?’ That gave me hope,” he said. He specifically thanked former Senate Leader and the APC governorship candidate in the 2023 election, Teslim Folarin; the Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu; Senators Sharafadeen Ali and Yunus Akintunde; Akin Alabi; Akeem Agbaje; Olamiju Alao-Akala; the state APC Youth Leader, John Aremu; the state APC Publicity Secretary, Wale Sadare; Kareem Tajudeen; and other party leaders who rallied around his family during his captivity. “I want to specially appreciate my brother, Akeem Akogun, for his show of love, and also the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, for his concern; the Director of the Department of State Services; the state Police Command, especially the AKS Department; the APC media team; religious leaders, including the Chief Imam of Ibadan; and community associations that held vigils and prayers for my safe return,” he said. Oriade appealed to anyone he might have wronged in the past, saying, “This is the highest punishment anyone can go through. Please, find it in your heart to forgive me, whoever I might have wronged.” He concluded by expressing heartfelt gratitude to his immediate family and Nigerians at home and abroad who supported his release and uplifted his spirits during a difficult period of his life. The APC chieftain also urged the government to create more job opportunities for youths to enhance productivity, stressing the importance of unity and resilience in overcoming adversity, and expressed optimism for a better future.