The abductors of Dr. Adekunle Raif Adeniji, Director of Administration at the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Secretariat, have demanded a N350 million ransom for his release.
According to the Daily Trust, sources close to the family revealed that the kidnappers contacted them, insisting that the ransom must be paid before Adeniji would be freed.
A family member, speaking on the condition of anonymity, stated, “He is still in captivity, and they have made it clear that he won’t be released unless the money is paid.”
An insider within the APC also confirmed the demand, noting that efforts were ongoing to secure his freedom.
Attack and abduction
Dr. Adeniji was abducted two weeks ago when armed men stormed the Chikakore area of Kubwa, within the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The gunmen, armed with AK-47 rifles, took him alongside his brother, his brother’s wife, and their son during the attack.
Tragically, the brother’s wife, Madam Esther, was killed, and her remains were later found in Ijah-Gbagyi, Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State, the following morning.
Dr. Adeniji, who has been APC’s Director of Administration since August 2024, was visiting his brother when the assailants struck.
His appointment had been confirmed through an official letter from the party’s National Secretary following the resignation of Prof. Alaba Adediwura.
APC acknowledges abduction but remains tight-lipped
Senior officials at the APC National Secretariat confirmed the abduction but refrained from providing detailed information on the incident.
One party official remarked, “Yes, it’s true. But this is not something we want to discuss openly.”
Another high-ranking member also confirmed the incident, stating, “Efforts are ongoing to secure his release. We are hopeful it will happen soon.”
Despite these confirmations, neither the APC National Working Committee (NWC) nor security personnel at the party’s secretariat have issued an official statement regarding the situation.
Security response and police silence
Meanwhile, AFRIPOST’s attempts to obtain an official response from the FCT Police Command have been unsuccessful.
The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, did not respond to calls or messages regarding the abduction.
The situation has yet again heightened concerns about security in the nation’s capital, particularly in satellite communities like Chikakore, which lies about 30 kilometres from the Abuja city centre.
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