For Chief Olu Falae, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), spending four days in the custody of abductors was like being in hell.
Falae, a seasoned Politician and Chieftain of the pan Yoruba socio-cultural organization, Afenifere said he went through the most horrible and agonizing part of his life when he was abducted by some suspected Fulani herdsmen in his farm at Ilado in Akure, Ondo State on the day of his 77 birthday.
However, there indications that the foremost politician may be flown abroad for medical treatment considering the terrible situation he went through while in the custody of his abductors.
A source close to the family of Falae revealed to DAILY POST that arrangements were on by family members, especially the children of the freed politician, to take him abroad for medical examination, having gone through serious trauma during his abduction.
The source hinted that Falae had since his arrival been examined by his personal physician, adding that the Ondo State government may likely support the family in the care of the elder statesman, especially his medical trip abroad.
Falae, who was the former Presidential candidate of All Peoples Party (APP) in 1999, may have had serious health challenges considering the horrible encounter he had with his abductors, and his health could have been drastically affected.
It was not certain whether he (Falae) has any health challenge before his abduction, but it was reliably gathered that his health has failed as he had no access to good food, drinks and drugs which people of his age need.
Recounting his ordeal in the hands of his captors shortly after he regained his freedom, Falae who is also a former Minister of Finance said he refused to eat the foods offered him by his abductors, adding that he was helpless for that period.
Although Falae refused to speak openly as a result of his health, which many believe has seriously weakened, he told the Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko that he slept on bare floor with his shoes removed all through the period that he was held hostage.
Falae, who looked weak when he arrived at his residence at Oba-Ile area of Akure on Thursday evening, described his experience during the period of his abduction as that of hell.
He said his release was as a result of prayers of the saints, as according to him, “I never knew there could be opportunity for me to see my people again. But thank God for answering your prayers. He showed me his favour even when I thought all hopes had been lost.”
The septuagenarian, who was released four days after his abduction maintained that “the horrible experience gained during my period of captivity will remain fresh in my mind forever, because it was like being in hell for four days.”
It was alleged that the Afenifere Leader had serious issues with some Fulani herdsmen before his travail, and that could be responsible for his abduction by hoodlums suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.
This, his personal Assistant, Mr Moshood Raji also corroborated, saying some Fulani headsmen around Falae’s farm had threatened to deal with him following his stance against the invasion of his multi-million naira farm by cattle belonging to the herdsmen.
Raji alleged that Fulani herdsmen were behind the kidnap of his principal, noting that there had been incessant face-off between the herdsmen and the Afenifere Chieftain over the frequent invasion of his farm by cattle.
According to him “the Fulani herdsmen always brought their cattle to chief’s farm and they often invaded the farm. This has caused a lot of problem between them and Chief. Some weeks ago, we arrested some of them and they were detained at the state Police Command headquarters.”
He added that “it got to a time that the Secretary of Fulani community told Chief to erect fence around his big farm so that their men would not be entering it with their cattle. He also threatened that his men will deal with Chief if anything happens to any of them.”
Commenting on the development, Governor Mimiko who expressed gratitude to God for the safe return of Falae said the return of the abducted Politician was a proof that God answers prayers.
“We are happy he is back. We thank God he is back both safe and sound. We are just happy that he is back. I prayed he comes back safely and he did,” he said.
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