In a chilling display of lawlessness, gunmen have abducted Dr. Adekunle Raif Adeniji, the Director of Administration at the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Secretariat in Abuja. The high-ranking party official has been held captive for two weeks, with his abductors demanding a staggering N350 million ransom for his release.
According to Sahara Reporters, which broke the news via its official X handle, Dr. Adeniji was kidnapped in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), further highlighting the growing insecurity in the nation’s capital.
Despite the gravity of the situation, neither the APC National Secretariat nor security agencies have made any official statements regarding the abduction. However, sources close to the matter have confirmed that Dr. Adeniji remains in captivity, with negotiations ongoing between his family and the kidnappers.
Dr. Adeniji was appointed Director of Administration at the APC National Secretariat in August 2024, following the resignation of his predecessor, Prof. Alaba Adediwura. His abduction marks a disturbing escalation in high-profile kidnappings, which have become alarmingly frequent across Nigeria.
This incident follows the recent abduction of retired Brigadier-General Maharazu Tsiga, a former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), whose captors are demanding N250 million for his release. The retired military officer was kidnapped last Wednesday night when armed men stormed his residence, underscoring the alarming insecurity affecting even those with military backgrounds.
The silence from authorities on these kidnappings raises serious concerns about the state of security in the country. With criminals operating with such brazenness in the heart of the nation, many Nigerians are left questioning the government’s ability to protect its citizens.
As families of the abducted victims desperately seek their release, the question remains: Who is safe in Nigeria today?
PIONEER NEWS 