The All Progressives Congress has remained silent on the abduction of its Director of Administration at the National Secretariat in Abuja, Dr Adekunle Adeniji, nearly three weeks after he was kidnapped.
Adeniji was among four residents abducted by suspected kidnappers who invaded the Chikakore area of Kubwa, Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory on January 27.
Eyewitnesses reported that the assailants, armed with sophisticated weapons, stormed the area in large numbers, causing panic among residents.
The spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident, revealing that the kidnappers had disguised themselves as vigilantes.
She stated that the four abducted individuals were from the same family, adding that a neighbour who attempted to intervene sustained injuries.
When the kidnappers discovered Adeniji’s identity, they demanded a ₦350 million ransom for his release.
Efforts to reach the family for a response were unsuccessful.
Similarly, the leadership of the APC has remained tight-lipped on the matter.
Members of the APC National Working Committee also refused to speak when approached for clarification on Adeniji’s abduction and efforts to secure his release.
However, a source at the party’s secretariat, speaking anonymously to Punch, revealed that the party was unwilling to engage publicly on the issue.
“They wouldn’t tell you anything. Are you not surprised that a whole APC Director of Administration is still in the hands of kidnappers? We sincerely don’t think the party is willing to do anything about it. The initial plan was for every staff member to remain silent so his abductors wouldn’t discover his true identity.
“Even the police are aware of the abduction. But with the sudden ransom demand of ₦350 million and the media now reporting it, we suspect the kidnappers may have learned who he really is,” the source said.
