We’ll Rescue Anisulowo, Get Her Abductors, Amosun Vows

Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, and heads of security agencies yesterday launched a manhunt for the suspected kidnappers of Senator Iyabo Anisulowo. The governor and security agents vowed to rescue the victim unhurt. Anisulowo (65), a former minister of State for Education, was abducted about 6p.m. on Wednesday while returning from her farm at Sawonjo in Yewa North Local Government Area. However, the abductors are yet to contact her family members or demand ransom.

It was learnt that the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) in which the former minister and her aides were travelling was recovered by the police. After she was abducted, the gunmen initially escaped in the vehicle.

The vehicle was said to have been recovered at a spot on Iganokoto-Imasayi Road about 10p.m. on Wednesday. Family members said the suspected kidnappers, numbering four, had not contacted them for ransom. One of Anisulowo’s siblings, Kola Popoola, who spoke with journalists, said none of the family members had been asked to pay ransom to secure the release of the former minister. Popoola also appealed to government to do all within its powers to unmask the abductors.

But Amosun, who led some security chiefs to Anisulowo’s farm yesterday, promised that she would soon be rescued. The governor said security operatives, including men of the Nigerian Army, police, Department of State Service (DSS) and local vigilantes had been deployed to rescue the victim.

Amosun warned that the state would never be a comfort zone for kidnappers. He said: “It is our responsibility as a government to secure our citizens. But because of the security nature of what has happened, we can’t probably be disclosing what we have done or what we are doing. But you can be rest assured that everybody is involved and we will get her back safely.

“And to the perpetrators, of course, we are ready for them. They will face the law fully and they will regret doing it. Ogun State will not be a comfort zone for criminals.” Also speaking, the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 2, Bala Hassan, urged people to remain calm and count on law enforcement agents to do their work. Hassan added that the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, had already given necessary directives to ensure speedy rescue of the former lawmaker.

He said: “The kidnap of Senator Iyabo Anisulowo is most unfortunate. But all hands are on deck. I want to assure the good people of Ogun and Lagos states that we are going to get to the root of this issue; she would be released safe and those perpetrators would face the full wrath of the law.”

Responding, the senator’s husband, Dr. Aderemi Anisulowo, expressed satisfaction with the measures taken by government to free his wife. He said: “I thank the governor for what he has done and pray God to continue to strengthen him and give him more wisdom and knowledge to continue to steer the ship of the state.”

Meanwhile, more facts emerged yesterday on how Anisulowo was abducted. Witnesses, including the senator’s driver, Wasiu Afonja, and security detail, Damola Akinwande, said they were ambushed by the kidnappers who were armed with guns and swords.