Adebimpe Ogunlumade: kidnapped

The Osun state government has confirmed the kidnapping by gunmen of the Permanent Secretary of the  Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, along with two other persons.

Mrs Adebimpe Ogunlumade, the University of Ibadan alumna,  along with a director in the ministry, Tajudeen Badejoko and her driver, Oladapo Arogundade Ajani, were kidnapped  today at Obajana, on the nototrious Lokoja-Okene highway in Kogi state, while returning to Osogbo from Abuja.

They were on official assignment, according to a statement by Mr Sunday Olayinka Owoeye, the head of service.

The state Auditor General who also travelled with the officials was said to have narrowly escaped the abduction.

The Director of Bureau of Communication and Strategy in the Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon also confirmed the development.

“The officials were returning from Abuja where they attended the briefing on the State and Local Government Reforms Project; a World Bank and European Union Programme,” the head of service statement read in part.

He said the state government has alerted all necessary security agencies nationwide and Kogi State Police Command in particular towards the safe release of the three abducted officials.

The Police Public Relations Officer for Osun State Police Command, DSP Folasade Odoro said the command was working with the Kogi State Police Command to ensure that the abducted officials were rescued.