Ibadan, Oyo State — Wale Oriade, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State who was abducted earlier in December 2025, regained his freedom on Saturday after spending 39 days in captivity, party officials have confirmed.
The Public Relations Officer of the APC in Oyo State, Wale Sadare, told The PUNCH Online by telephone from Ibadan that Oriade’s release was confirmed on Saturday, January 10, 2026. “Yes, I can confirm it. He (Oriade) has been released,” Sadare said.
Oriade was kidnapped on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at around 7:06 pm from his office at PJ Square Shopping Complex, adjacent to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited station in Elewure, along Iyana Ajanla, Akala Expressway, New Garage, Ibadan. Eyewitnesses said the assailants, arriving in a blue Nissan Micra with two occupants, including an armed man, forcibly seized Oriade and drove away in the vehicle.
“The nature of the attack and the precision with which it was carried out have caused deep concern within his community,” an eyewitness told The PUNCH Online at the time of the abduction.
Investigations by Punch correspondents revealed that a ransom was paid to secure Oriade’s release, although neither the amount nor further details of the negotiations have been disclosed.
As of the time of publication, there has been no official statement from the Oyo State Police Command regarding Oriade’s release or any arrests related to his abduction and subsequent freedom.
The incident forms part of a broader pattern of kidnappings targeting political figures, professionals, and community leaders in parts of southwestern Nigeria, where security challenges have persisted. Kidnappings for ransom in Oyo State and neighbouring areas have drawn heightened attention from residents and authorities alike this past year.
In December 2025, Oriade’s abduction prompted appeals from the APC Oyo State chapter for swift and coordinated rescue efforts by the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies, highlighting concerns over rising insecurity in urban and peri‑urban areas.
Security analysts have emphasised the need for improved intelligence‑led operations and community policing to counter the kidnapping trend, which has increasingly affected political party officials ahead of the 2027 general elections cycle. Continuous engagement with local leaders and enhanced patrols on major transport corridors have been suggested to mitigate similar threats.
Oriade’s release after more than a month in captivity brings relief to his family and the Oyo State APC, but it also renews calls for stronger security frameworks to protect citizens and political actors in volatile regions.
