Olu Falae regains freedom

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae, has been released after spending three days in captivity.

He was kidnapped on Monday at his farm in Ondo State by people described as Fulani herdsmen.

A security source confirmed this to Business Hallmark, saying the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, is in Akure and would hold a press briefing on the development later in the day.

Ondo State governor, Olusegun Mimiko, also confirmed the report and said Falae would “soon be home”.

Sympathisers and family members are said to have besieged his private residence in Ilu Abo, still in Akure, waiting to receive him.

On Wednesday, President Muhammadu Buhari directed the police to “find and rescue” Falae.

Also, Afenifere, the socio-cultural group in the South West warned against anything untoward happening to Falae.

Afenifere in a statement by its spokesman, Yinka Odumakin, urged northern leaders to ask the Fulani herdsmen to release the former presidential candidate.

Afenifere revealed that Falae and the Fulani herdsmen had been engaged in some running battles over his farm.

Gunmen abducted the septuagenarian from his farm at the Ilado area of Akure North Local Government Area in Ondo State on his 77th birthday, demanding a ransom of N100 million.

He is the national chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

His release is expected to douse the tension trailing his kidnap.