Colleague planned Omisore's kidnap – Family members
Dr. Femi Omisore
The reason for the kidnap of a lecturer at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Dr. Femi Omisore, has continued to generate speculations among students of the university and other sympathisers.
Some have said that he was kidnapped because he was a relation of the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the March 28 poll in Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore.
Others, especially a segment of his polygamous family, are of the opinion that Omisore was set-up by a colleague that he had issues with.
It would be recalled that Omisore was kidnapped last Saturday at Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, while he was on his way to attend a funeral at Oye Ekiti.
Apart from kidnapping Omisore, his driver was killed for allegedly playing on the intelligence of the kidnappers. The car was later set ablaze.
Omisore, a lecturer at the Department of Environmental Design Management, was said to have been kidnapped despite attempt by residents of the area where he was kidnapped to rescue him.
The kidnappers were reportedly trailing Omisore's car as his driver, who had sensed danger tried to escape them. But when they eventually caught up with the lecturer's car, they were said to have killed the driver in anger."
When our correspondent visited Omisore's apartment at OAU staff quarters, Road 12, his colleagues were seen condoling with his wife.
Also, students of Omisore's department said much of their academic work had been adversely affected by his kidnap.
"For instance, since he was kidnapped, we have all been having problems with project submission. We could not even approach other lecturers to submit our projects, their mood is like they are all mourning,"one student who identified himself simply as Ola, said.
The kidnappers have reportedly contacted the family and made a demand for N70m ransom to release the lecturer.
A family source told our correspondent, "We still don't understand why they kidnapped him. He is not so rich and not popular. What we have been hearing is that he was abducted because he is related to Omisore."
A source close to one of Omisore's wives, who did not want to be named, told our correspondent that Omisore might have been set-up by a colleague he was having an issue with.
The source, who refused to name the colleague said, "I spoke to his (Omisore's) wife and she was of the opinion that her husband's kidnap is the handiwork of one of his colleagues, with whom she said he was not in good terms. We just pray he returns safely."
Attempts to speak with one of Omisore's wives was abortive as of the time of filing this report.
However, when contacted, the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, OAU chapter, Dr. Caleb Aborisade, said Omisore's kidnap had nothing to do with insinuations of a disagreement with any of his colleagues.
He said Omisore was only unfortunate to have passed the kidnappers zone. He said he was not abducted because of being a relation of any politician either.
He said, "They have not released him. The union and the university have reported to the security agencies officially. We have also reported to the Ekiti State Government and they are aware and they said they are working.
"I don't think it has anything to do with whether he is a relation of the politician calledOmisore or not because the area where they kidnapped him is a kidnappers' base.
"It may now be that as a result of his name they decided to demand N70m, I don't know. But this one has nothing to do with the politician. I don't even think he (victim) knowsOmisore (the politician).
"We are hoping and praying. We want to trust the security on this matter. We are not politicians and can't move around with escorts. Many of us get loan to buy our vehicles, if they see us riding a car it is because it is a necessity."
Written by NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE
Sodiq Oyeleke is a Media, Human Resources, Project Management and Public Relations Practitioner
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