The Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area in Ondo State, Mr Maurice Oripenaye, has expressed serious concern over the reported abduction of a prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in the council area, Mr Owoloemi Emorioloye.
In a statement released on Sunday, Oripenaye disclosed that Emorioloye, a media strategist and political figure popularly known as Emotel and Director-General of the Asiwaju Media Team, was allegedly kidnapped by armed men on Thursday in Igbokoda, the headquarters of the local government.
According to the council chairman, the attackers reportedly arrived in two Hilux vehicles and forcefully took the victim from his office at about 9:00 a.m. near the Okonga/Olodo Junction, a busy part of the town.
“The Ilaje Local Government Council received with deep shock and grave concern the report of the abduction of Prince Owoloemi Emorioloye, a respected media and political personality in our community,” Oripenaye stated.
He described the incident as a serious breach of public safety and an attack on the peace of Ilaje, noting that the victim’s whereabouts remain unknown despite efforts to reach him.
Eyewitness accounts cited in the statement indicated that the assailants were armed and carried out the operation in broad daylight, a development the council chairman described as disturbing and unacceptable.
Oripenaye strongly condemned the incident and urged residents to remain calm, warning against the spread of unverified information that could heighten tension or obstruct ongoing investigations.
“On behalf of the Ilaje Local Government, I condemn this criminal act in strong terms and stand in solidarity with the family, friends, and associates of Prince Emorioloye during this difficult time,” he said.
He assured residents that the safety of lives and property remains a top priority of his administration, adding that immediate steps had been taken to involve relevant security agencies.
“We have contacted the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Army, and local security outfits to ensure a coordinated and swift response aimed at securing his release,” Oripenaye added.
Confirming the development, the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Abayomi Jimoh, said the command was aware of the incident and had launched an investigation.
“Information available to me is still sketchy, but investigations have commenced. We urge residents to remain calm as efforts are ongoing to ensure the safety of lives and property across the state,” Jimoh said.
He added that the victim’s location had not yet been established as of the time of the report.
The Ilaje council chairman reiterated his call on security agencies to intensify efforts to ensure that Emorioloye is rescued unharmed.
