Police intensify search for abducted Chinese expatriate in Ekiti

The police in Ekiti State said on Wednesday that security agencies were intensifying efforts on the search for a Chinese national abducted at Igbemo Ekiti in the Irepodun Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state.

The expatriate, who was said to be one of the experts supervising the construction of the Ilupeju-Ire-Igbemo-Ijan Road, was abducted at Igbemo Ekiti while driving a van.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, said operatives of the Rapid Response Squad had launched a manhunt for the kidnappers.

Abutu said, “Our RRS men swung into action immediately the news broke on Tuesday. They are combing all the surrounding bushes. We are sure that the abductee will be released soon.”

Meanwhile, a combined team of police and operatives of the Department of State Services arrested four men in Navy uniform who posed as operatives of the proscribed Nigerian Merchant Naval Corps during their visit to the office of the Chairman of the Irepodun/Ifelodun LGA, Shina Ogunleye.

Ogunleye, who said the arrest followed his report to the security operatives, said he suspected the men were on a kidnap mission.

He said, “Before they came to my office, I suspected foul play and I had to inform some higher security officials in the state, who tutored me on what to do.

“I arrived in the office around 10 am and as I was entering my office, they wanted to follow me, but they were prevented from gaining entry until the DSS and police operatives arrived at the scene.

“The security agents asked them some questions, but they could not provide appropriate answers. It was then we realised that they were fake officers and that they came for a sinister mission.”

The police spokesperson said, “The suspects said they were in Ekiti to set up a base for their security outfit in Igede Ekiti."