After three days in the den of kidnappers, the former Secretary to the Government of Federation (SGF) Chief Olu Falae, Thursday afternoon regained freedom.
Chief Falae being received by supporters after his release from the kidnappers' den
While speaking with newsmen yesterday, the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, who reportedly came to Ondo State on the order of President Muhammadu Buhari to secure Chief Olu Falae’s release at the kidnapper's den, said no ransom was paid to the hoodlums before Pa Falae was released. He neither denied or confirmed if any arrest was made during the rescue operation.
On how Falae was rescued:
I cannot tell you, it is not for you. It is purely a security matter, but I am happy he is rescued alive. The most important thing is that baba has come home safely, that is the mandate the President has given to me and that is exactly what I have done.
On the arrest made in connection with the crime and the amount paid as ransom:
I will let you know about arrest later, but no ransom was paid.
On security challenges and plan for kidnappers:
Security challenges like this are new trend. They are emerging trend. It is not only localised in Nigeria. It is a global thing. We are going to devise strategies to ensure that hoodlums cannot overwhelm a state. It is not possible.
We will continue to disgrace them, we will continue to catch them. Right from Monday when he was kidnapped, policemen had been working underground. No ransom was paid. I will let you know if anybody was apprehended later.
A police source, who was on the rescue team, revealed that Falae was rescued at about 2.30pm.
"We came into Ondo at about 6am with the IG. We then went to Owo town. The IG came with five units of mobile policemen and over 400 policemen from the Ondo State command. There was also the Special Intelligence Response team. The chief was rescued at bout 2.30pm."
The Force Public Relations Officer, Olabisi Kolawole, said the family did not pay any ransom to the kidnappers.
"The chief has been reunited with his family members. The IG went to the Ondo State command on Thursday to coordinate the release of the chief. He was rescued in Owo town.
There was no ransom paid before he was released. He was rescued from the gang. As of now, the police are working on arresting the suspects, and they will be brought to book. We do not have any suspect presently."
Below is an official Press statement by the Nigerian Police on the rescue of Chief Olu Falae.
The rescue of Chief Olu Falae from his captives on September 24th, 2015 was made possible as the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Solomon E. Arase, fdc NPM coordinated both aerial and land operations to ensure the freedom of the former presidential candidate of the SDP. The operation which started in the early hours of the aforementioned date, combed every nook and cranny of Ondo state till success was achieved in Owo.
Speaking in Owo while re-uniting Chief Olu Falae with his family, the Inspector-General of Police said; those who think Nigeria is lawless should have a rethink as the Nigeria Police Force and other sister agencies are everywhere to deal decisively with those miscreants who intend to test the capabilities of the Force.
He further said that the Former Secretary to the Federal Government is hale and hearty meanwhile, the Nigeria Police promised to leave no stone unturned till the perpetrators of the dastardly act are brought to book.