Rauf Adeniji, a senior member of All Progressive Assembly (APC), passed away and had sent shockwaves through the party and the state.
Adeniji, formerly director of the APC administration, was kidnapped at his home in the Bwari Council area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on January 26 with his cousin Akinropo Adesiyan and his wife Esther Adesiyan.
Adeniji, 66, moved to Kubwa after being appointed as the state director. His tragic fate was not revealed until recently after his cousin was rescued by security forces on April 7, revealing that Adeniji was killed shortly after his kidnapping in January.
According to Premium Times, insiders within the party shared more about the terrorist incident, although details surrounding the kidnapping and Adeniji’s death are still largely preserved, which may avoid any negative impact on the security efforts of the APC-led federal government. APC Chief Jamiu Olawumi, familiar with this situation, further insights into the situation that led to Adeniji’s death and the tragic loss of his cousin’s wife.
According to Olawumi, the kidnappers posed as citizens concerned, deceived Adeniji and Adesiyan, opening their doors by claiming they were there to help arrest the suspects. After entering the room, the criminals quickly overwhelmed them. “So no one knew about their condition until the morning of that incident, when someone warned that they had seen the body of a woman, apparently his cousin’s wife,” Olawumi told Premium Times. Mrs. Adesiyan’s body was found in the bushes and was discarded along the trail.
Olawumi further revealed that Adesiyan was captured by the kidnapper for 32 days and the kidnapper demanded a ransom of Naira 250 million. However, the federal government has issued an order not to pay any ransom, although it is not clear whether it is paid. According to Olawumi, the trauma of witnessing the brutal murder of his brother’s wife caused Adeniji, Adeniji, to die in shock three hours later.
On April 8, Adesiyan and 59 other victims of kidnapping were rescued by the 1st Division of the Nigerian Army. National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu took the opportunity to urge Nigerians to stop paying ransoms to their abductors, stressing that such payments only exacerbate criminal activity. “This is one of the worst things that have happened,” Ribadu said.
After Adeniji’s rescue, he was obviously dead for several weeks. His death deeply saddened his family, including his wife and children.
Meanwhile, famous figures such as Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke, his predecessor Adegboyega Oyetola and members of APC also poured in respect and condolences, all praising Adeniji’s contribution to the party and society.
The disturbing trend of kidnapping ransom has become a serious concern throughout Nigeria, especially in Abuja and on major highways.
The recent kidnapping of five APC ward chairmen in Zamfara state has raised growing thoughts about insecurity. According to a 2024 report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), there are more than 2.2 million kidnappings nationwide, with 65% of affected families paying a total of N2.2 trillion ransoms at the box office.
