A former Nigerian presidential candidate, Eniola Ojajuni, has been reportedly shot and kidnapped by bandits in Abuja.
According to family sources, Mr. Ojajuni was abducted from his vehicle on Monday while on his way to a meeting. The attackers shot him in the buttocks before taking him captive.
Mr. Ojajuni, who contested the 2019 presidential election under the now-defunct Alliance for Democracy, is also the national president of the Afenifere Youths Council.
A source close to the family disclosed that the kidnappers have contacted Mr. Ojajuni’s wife, demanding a ransom of N100 million for his release.
In response to the incident, the Afenifere Youths Council expressed deep concern over his safety and appealed for his immediate release.
“The Afenifere National Youths Council is deeply saddened to announce the kidnapping of its national president, Prince Eniola Joseph Ojajuni, in Abuja, Nigeria. During the kidnapping, Prince Ojajuni sustained a bullet wound on his buttock. We are deeply concerned about his safety and well-being, and we urge the kidnappers to release him unharmed,” the group said in a statement.
Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police command, Josephine Adeh, for comments were unsuccessful at the time of this report.
The abduction highlights the rising insecurity in Nigeria, with kidnappings for ransom becoming an increasing concern. Authorities are yet to provide an official response regarding efforts to secure Mr. Ojajuni’s release.
