In a brazen evening attack, Wale Oriade, a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ibadan South West Local Government Area of Oyo State, has been abducted by armed men. The incident occurred around 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 4, 2025, sending shockwaves through the political community and raising fresh alarms about the state of security in the region.
Details of the Ibadan Kidnapping Incident
According to accounts shared on social media, the abduction took place as Oriade was leaving his office situated along the Akala Expressway in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. An Instagram user, Taoreed Sanusi, provided a chilling narrative of the event.
He reported that three armed assailants seized the politician and forcibly pushed him into a blue Micra vehicle. The gunmen then sped away from the scene to an unknown destination. It was confirmed that the victim's phone was taken during the incident, complicating immediate contact efforts. Sanusi emphasized that the safety and swift rescue of Oriade remain the paramount concern.
Political Reactions and Calls for Action
The kidnapping has drawn strong condemnation from high-profile political figures. Senator Teslim Folarin, a former Senate Leader and the 2023 APC governorship candidate in Oyo State, expressed deep dismay over the abduction on Thursday.
"I am deeply troubled by the kidnapping of Wale Oriade. This incident is unacceptable and a painful reminder of the growing insecurity confronting our dear nation," Folarin stated. He issued a direct appeal to all security agencies to act decisively, deploying every necessary resource to ensure the victim's immediate and safe release.
Folarin extended his thoughts and prayers to the abducted politician's family and called for calm among party members and residents as security operatives intensify their efforts. He stressed the need for robust security measures, saying, "Oyo State must not be surrendered to criminals. We must strengthen our security architecture, improve intelligence sharing, and protect every citizen."
When contacted for a response, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Oyo State offered a brief statement, confirming that "investigation is ongoing."
A Pattern of Political Abductions Across Nigeria
This latest kidnapping is not an isolated event but part of a disturbing national trend targeting political figures and their families. The incident echoes several other high-profile cases that have ended in tragedy:
- In April 2025, Dr. AbdulRaif Adekunle Adeniji, an APC chieftain and National Director of Administration, died in captivity after being kidnapped alongside Prince Akinropo Adesiyan, his wife, and their son. Sources revealed Dr. Adeniji collapsed and died two hours after witnessing the killing of Prince Adesiyan's wife by their abductors, who concealed his death during ransom negotiations.
- In December 2024, Hon. Justice Azuka, a Labour Party member representing Onitsha 1 North Constituency in Anambra State, was kidnapped while returning home. His abductors have yet to contact his family, and police efforts to secure his release continue.
- In September 2025, former Imo State lawmaker Ngozi Ogbu was abducted by suspected members of IPOB/ESN. A viral video showed him pleading for the withdrawal of security operatives from Okigwe, warning his captors would kill him within four days if their demands were unmet.
These cases, along with the September 2024 kidnapping and subsequent rescue of PDP politician Benedict Akika in Oyo State after a multi-state manhunt, paint a grim picture of the security challenges facing the nation's political class. The repeated targeting of officials underscores a critical need for enhanced protective measures and more effective security strategies to safeguard citizens and public servants alike.
