Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Vice Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Mrs Grace Ogunleye, was rescued unhurt on Thursday morning, May 21, 2026, following a coordinated 24‑hour operation involving the police, military, local security personnel and vigilantes. The Ekiti State Police Command announced the rescue in a statement issued in Ado‑Ekiti on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sunday Abutu. According to the statement, Ogunleye was abducted by yet‑to‑be‑identified hoodlums on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, while returning from official duties along the Ipere‑Iludun Ekiti road.
Her abandoned official Toyota Corolla was found by the roadside after the attack, and her mobile phone was switched off, raising fears that she might have been taken deep into the forest. However, a coordinated rescue mission was immediately launched. The police spokesperson said that the breakthrough came “as a result of a joint operation by the police, the military and other security agencies as well as the local security personnel, who embarked on a rescue mission and mounted pressure on the hoodlums”. The hoodlums, overwhelmed by the sustained pressure, released the council official unhurt. She was taken into protective custody for medical checks and debriefing, and she has since been reunited with her family.
The Commissioner of Police in Ekiti State, CP Falade Adegoroye Michael, has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident to unravel the circumstances surrounding the abduction and identify those behind it. The command reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety of residents and pledged to continue working with other security agencies and local communities to tackle criminal activities across the state.
The rescue came as a huge relief to the people of Ilejemeje, who had been thrown into panic and mourning following the abduction. Just weeks earlier, on April 28, 2026, gunmen had attacked a Christ Apostolic Church at Eda Oniyo in the same local government area, killing a pastor and abducting several worshippers who remain in captivity. The latest incident had also forced the Ekiti State Government to order the immediate closure of all secondary schools in Ilejemeje Local Government Area, with students writing their final examinations relocated to community halls for safety. The state government had also intensified patrols along the Ipere‑Iludun road and other black spots. With Ogunleye now safe, the closure order has been partially relaxed, though schools are expected to remain on high alert for the rest of the week.
The rapid rescue is a testament to the effectiveness of intelligence‑led, multi‑agency cooperation in tackling the growing insecurity in the South‑West. However, the fact that no arrests have been made yet means the abductors remain at large, and residents are still being advised to remain vigilant. The police have appealed to anyone with useful information about the incident to come forward. The command has also assured the public that the investigation is ongoing and that all those involved in the crime will be brought to justice. The rescue of Grace Ogunleye is a rare piece of good news in a region that has been grappling with a surge in abductions, but it also serves as a reminder that the fight against kidnapping is far from over.
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