Sen. Arise kidnapped, police denies claim

Sen. Ayo Arise, a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was kidnapped on Sunday, along Okene-Lokoja road, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

NAN reports that the senator was abducted along with his Personal Assistant and driver while returning to Abuja.


A reliable family source told NAN in Ado-Ekiti on Monday that the kidnappers struck and led the three into the neighbouring bush at gunpoint.

Ayo Arise, a former Senator who represented Ekiti North Senatorial District, in the National Assembly

The Senator, his Personal Assistant and driver were said to have kidnapped travelling in his car when the gunmen struck and stopped his vehicle and led him into the bush at gunpoint.

The abductors were said to have contacted the family and demanded N80 million ransom.

One of the closest allies of Arise, who wanted to remain anonymity, told NAN, “They (kidnappers) have contacted us and demanded a sum of N80million ransom.

“We are worried because we don’t know his situation.

“The family is working hard to secure his release and we have contacted all the relevant agencies, including the police to come to our aid.”

Meanwhile the Police Command in Kogi said it was not aware of the reported kidnap of the senator.

The Police Public Relations Officer for the command, ASP William Aya, told NAN in Lokoja on Monday.

Aya said that Okene -Lokoja road where the senator was said to have been kidnapped on Dec. 3 was under effective policing, saying that the claim was in doubt.