KIDNAPPED EJIGBO LCDA BOSS, BAMIGBETAN, REGAINS FREEDOM

The abducted Chairman of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, was late last night released by his captors.

Although the circumstances of his release were sketchy family sources confirmed his release.

Earlier in the day when news of his release hit the airwaves, relations, friends, associates and well-wishers gathered in his home with the social media re-cycling the news of the release.

In no time, handsets came alive with callers passing on the ‘news’.

It took only a few hours for the 24, Eni iwa Mimo Street, Ejigbo, Lagos residence of the Bamigbetans to begin to feel the impact: sympathisers had descended there in their hundreds to come and share in the joy of the release.

They danced, sang and exchanged joyful banters, while they awaited for Bamigbetan to show up.

However, when contacted the Deputy Public Relations Officer of the Lagos Police Command, Damasus Ozoani, said the Command was not aware of the release.

Inside the house itself, the mood was boisterous, a sharp contrast to the gloom which had pervaded the entire household since the abduction.

As new visitors arrived, they exchanged congratulatory messages with those already there and some prayed that Bamigbetan would arrive home safely.

By mid-day, the abducted chairman was nowhere to be seen. Yet some of the sympathisers insisted he was on his way home.

Soon, the high hope began to thin out. And so was the crowd, leaving only family members and personal aides.

Now, it was clear it had all been a hoax.

The Information Officer of Ejigbo LCDA, Rabiu Hassan, who had been quoted by a social media as having confirmed Bamigbetan’s freedom said: “I heard like everyone else that he had been released and that he was on his way home. But he has not called me and I have not seen him that is all I can say.”

Some party faithful who remained till late evening said they believed the chairman had been released and were prepared to wait for his return to the house.

His wife, Fatimo, had to switch off her handset following a barrage of calls from those who wanted to confirm her husband’s release.

At about 6:30 pm, a lorry was driven into the compound to offload canopies and chairs apparently in anticipation of celebration of his freedom.

His driver who was with him at the time of the abduction, Abiodun Olayiwola said he also is in high spirits to welcome his boss. “I want my boss home, I want him back home alive, I am eagerly waiting for him to come back home.”

Bamigbetan was abducted on Monday 15th April, 2013 at about 11:30 pm while returning to his Ejigbo home.

Source: The Nation