The Oyo State chapter of the African Action Congress (AAC) has issued a stern three-day ultimatum to state security agencies and the government, demanding the immediate rescue of two high-profile kidnapping victims and threatening mass protests if no action is taken.
The party called for the urgent release of Ibukunoluwa Otesile, the CEO of Hope Haven Clinic and Deluxe Foods & Sweets, and Wale Oriade, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who were abducted separately in Ibadan last week.
In a press statement released and signed by the chairman, Kayode Babayomi on Monday, the AAC expressed deep concern over the rising spate of kidnappings in the state and accused both federal and state authorities of failing to protect citizens.
“We are saddened by the rise in kidnapping incidents and are more bothered that the names mentioned above may not be the last if nothing is done immediately to nip this menace in the bud,” the statement read.
The group highlighted that there has been no official information regarding the victims’ whereabouts or any coordinated rescue effort since their abduction.
Citing the recent withdrawal of over 10,000 police officers from VIP duties, a measure intended to strengthen general security, the AAC claimed that insecurity has only worsened in Oyo State since the policy took effect.
“It is sad that we live in a country where kidnapping has now become a lucrative criminal enterprise,” the statement added.
The AAC has directed its demands to the Oyo State Government, the Commissioner of Police, the Civil Defence Corps, and the State Security Service (SSS), urging them to “take immediate action to rescue the victims and bring them home safely.”
Should the government fail to act within three days, the party vowed to “mobilize the masses to occupy Security Headquarters in the State” until their demands are met.
“We will not fold our arms and watch the irresponsibility of government turn us into preys roaming in the wild, to be hunted by terrorists,” the AAC declared.
