Tragedy has struck the academic community in Ekiti State as the former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Professor Femi Olaofe, who was kidnapped over three week ago, has been found dead.
The body of the renowned 78-year-old academic was discovered in a remote area along Airport Road, Ado-Ijan Road, where it was buried in a shallow grave.
The death of the late professor had sparked widespread shock and outrage among colleagues, students, and the wider community.
The President of Ekiti Council of Elders, Prof. Joseph Oluwasanmi, on Thursday, last week appealed to Ekiti State Government and security agencies to secure the release of their kidnapped member Prof. Olaofe, from captivity.
Africa Health Report (AHR) gathered that the kidnappers had contacted and initially demanded N50m which they later reduced before the victim could be set free.
The police have confirmed the incident and said that investigation is ongoing into the circumstances surrounding the kidnapping and murder of the respected scholar, who was known for his contributions to education and research in Nigeria.
The Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Command, CP Adeniran Akinwale Adeniran who confirmed Professor Olaofe’s death said, “Yes, the professor has been found dead and we are doing everything possible to exhume the body for burial.
“However, we have arrested so many people and you know the circumstances surrounding the incident, and we suspected insider’s work in which the security man employed by the professor was the one who planned it.”