Fulani herdsmen kidnap Falae, demand N100m ransom

Fulani herdsmen, on Monday, stormed the Ilu-Abo, Akure, Ondo State farm of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Olu Falae, and kidnapped him.
Before the kidnap, Falae’s farm manager (Bruno), was stabbed and forced to take them to where Falae was.
The invasion of the farm was movie-like. Brandishing dangerous weapons, they injured many of the farm workers but Bruno was severely injured.
After Falae, the presidential candidate of the AD/APP alliance during the 1999 election, was taken to an unknown destination, the invaders contacted his family members, demanding N100 million ransom.
They also reportedly told family members that the money must be paid in 24 hours.
The politician/economist, who is the National Chairman of Social Democratic Party (SDP), is also the traditional ruler of Ilu-Abo.
Falae, a frontline Afenifere leader, has been having a running battle with the herdsmen.
Cows reared by the invaders, according to one of the farm workers, “destroy our farm produce almost on a weekly basis”.
Said the worker: “Baba (Falae) had complained to the police many times about the destruction and some of the herdsmen were arrested only to be released after a few phone calls”.
It is generally believed that the herdsmen stormed the farm on Monday “on a revenge mission”.
After Falae was taken away, Bruno was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital.
Some of the workers were seen crying when he was being taken to the hospital.
Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Wole Ogodo, assured that Falae would be rescued.