Kidnapped Former EKSU Deputy Vice Chancellor
Prof. Olorunfemi Olaofe, the former Deputy Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University (EKSU), has been found dead after being kidnapped on July 9. The body of the 79-year-old retired professor was discovered in a shallow grave in a remote area of Ekiti State. The exact cause of death is still under investigation, with authorities working to determine whether he died from natural causes or as a result of foul play by his kidnappers.
Prof. Olaofe was abducted from his residence alongside his security guard. The kidnappers had initially demanded a ransom of N50 million but subsequently went silent. The professor’s car, which was taken during the kidnapping, was recovered by the police days after the incident.
Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Adeniran Akinwale, confirmed the death and revealed ongoing efforts to exhume the body for burial. He indicated that there might be insider involvement in the kidnapping, noting that the security guard employed by Prof. Olaofe may have played a role in orchestrating the abduction. The police have made several arrests in connection with the case, though details about the security guard’s involvement remain unclear.
During the search for Prof. Olaofe, various groups, including the Are Ekiti Progressives Union, the Ekiti Council of Elders, and the Nigerian Universities Pensioners’ Association (EKSU Branch), urged the authorities and state government to intensify rescue efforts. Despite these efforts, the professor’s death has cast a shadow over the community, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and effective measures to combat kidnapping and other forms of violence.
Further updates on the investigation will be provided as more information becomes available. The community and organizations are mourning the loss of a respected academic figure, and the search for justice continues.