Arise’s abduction: Kinsmen go spiritual, declare 3-day fasting

A kinsman of abducted Senator Ayo Arise and Ekiti State Commissioner for Commerce, Michael Ayodele, has urged the politician’s family to embark on a three-day fasting and prayer for their release.

Ayodele also expressed fears that with the bombing and killings in Adamawa and Borno states as well as the gale of kidnapping in other states, Nigerians’ safety can no longer be guaranteed under President Muhammadu Buhari’s watch.

Ayodele, who spoke in Ado Ekiti yesterday, said the prayers of the people were required to ensure that the former lawmaker gets expeditious release by his captors.

Arise, who represented Ekiti North senatorial district at the Senate between 2007 and 2011, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was kidnapped along Okene-Abuja highway on Sunday by gunmen, while returning to Abuja.

The abducted former lawmaker is currently a member of the All Progressives Congress, where he is seeking the ticket to contest the 2018 Ekiti governorship election.

Arise was kidnapped alongside his driver and the  abductors had contacted the family demanding N80 million ransom.

Ayodele, a first cousin to the kidnapped politician, also appealed to the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to order his men in Kogi State to ensure the captive comes back alive.

“Arise is a son of Oye Ekiti. He has played pivotal role in the development of the town and this makes it imperative for us to pray for his safe return from captivity.

“It is rather sad that Nigerians are being killed, maimed and kidnapped on daily basis under the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration. This calls for sober reflection.

“We urge the police and the men of the Department of State Services (DSS) to work round the clock to ensure Arise returns hale and hearty. That is going to be our joy in Oye Ekiti and Ekiti in general,” he said.