Tension Rises as Gunmen Abduct Lagos State PDP Chairman After Meeting with Governors

 

Tension Rises as Gunmen Abduct Lagos State PDP Chairman After Meeting with Governors

A wave of palpable tension swept through the air as gunmen abducted Mr. Philip Aivoji, the Lagos State chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following a meeting with two Nigerian governors in Oyo State. The incident unfolded around 6 p.m. on Thursday, January 25, 2024, along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

Reports indicate that Aivoji was kidnapped after departing from a stakeholders' meeting convened by Governors Seyi Makinde and Ademola Adeleke in Oyo State. Another member of the Lagos State PDP Exco managed to escape and is currently receiving medical treatment at an undisclosed hospital. The state publicity secretary of the party, Hon. Hakeem Amode, confirmed the abduction and called for swift intervention from security agencies and government authorities to secure Aivoji's release.

Amode expressed deep concern about the prevalent issue of kidnapping in the country and urged decisive actions to address this menace. He stated, "The abduction of Aivoji underscores the pressing need for decisive actions from the government and stakeholders to eradicate this menace."

In a related development, troops conducted a successful operation, destroying an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) factory belonging to the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State. The joint operation involved the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, and civil defence corps.

Lt.-Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, Acting Deputy Director of the 82 Division Army Public Relations, reported that the troops encountered several IEDs during the operation but successfully destroyed the hideouts of terrorists. The operation also led to the discovery and destruction of several camps of the Indigenous People of Biafra and Eastern Security Network members in Imo State.

The troops, in their search, uncovered signs of occultism and cannibalism in buildings used by the terrorists. Additionally, the operation resulted in the recovery of rank badges of kidnapped policemen, Biafran currencies, fake US Dollar bills, Biafran Liberation Army T-shirts, and other relevant items. Two suspects were arrested, and the burnt corpses of policemen were discovered for proper burial.