Ibadan, Oyo State — A prominent chieftain of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Wale Oriade, who was abducted in early December 2025, has regained his freedom after 39 days in captivity, party officials confirmed on Saturday, January 10, 2026.
The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the APC in Oyo State, Wale Sadare, confirmed Oriade’s release to The PUNCH Online by telephone from Ibadan, the state capital. “Yes, I can confirm it. He (Oriade) has been released,” Sadare said, without providing further detail on his condition or the circumstances surrounding his release.
Oriade was abducted on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at about 7:06 p.m. at his office located at PJ Square Shopping Complex, beside the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) station at Elewure, Iyana Ajanla, Akala Expressway, New Garage, Ibadan, according to the original report. Eyewitnesses said his attackers arrived in a blue Nissan Micra with two occupants—a driver and an armed assailant—who forcefully seized him and drove off in the same vehicle.
The period of Oriade’s captivity lasted through much of December 2025, a month marked by heightened concerns over security and political violence in parts of southwestern Nigeria. Oyo State has experienced a series of kidnappings and armed attacks affecting both private citizens and political figures, prompting calls from civil society and community leaders for increased protection and responsive policing.
Investigations by journalists indicated that a ransom was paid to the abductors before Oriade was released, though neither law enforcement agencies nor APC officials have provided an official breakdown of the negotiation or payment details. As of publication, the Oyo State Police Command had not issued a statement on the case.
Kidnapping for ransom continues to pose a significant challenge to governance and public safety in Nigeria. Incidents involving prominent individuals, such as political party figures, often draw attention to broader security gaps that affect communities and deter civic engagement. Security agencies have frequently reiterated commitments to combat kidnapping networks, but the persistence of such incidents underscores ongoing enforcement and intelligence challenges.
Law enforcement in Oyo State and Nigeria’s federal security apparatus have been urged by community representatives to intensify operations against kidnappers to prevent future abductions. Authorities are expected to provide further updates as investigations continue and efforts to apprehend the perpetrators proceed.
