Gunmen Kidnap Senator Ayo Arise, Demand N80m Ransom

Armed men have kidnapped the former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Privatisation between 2007 and 2011, Senator Ayo Arise.

The abductors, who kidnapped the senator over the weekend along Okene-Abuja Highway, contacted his family demanding the sum of N80m as ransom.

He was allegedly returning to Abuja from Oye-Ekiti, his home town after attending a ceremony at Ikere-Ekiti on Saturday.

Senator Arise, who represented Ekiti North Senatorial District on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP was travelling in his Mercedes SUV alongside his driver when the gunmen attacked and ferried him to an unknown destination.

An aide to the senator who spoke on the condition of anonymity said, “Yes, he visited Ekiti State on Saturday before returning to Abuja.

“When we wanted to establish contact with him, we could not. The last time I called him was around 6pm, so the kidnap must have taken place around 7pm.

“They have contacted us and demanded the sum of N80m ransom. We are worried because we don’t know his situation.

“The family is working hard to secure his release and we have contacted all the relevant agencies including the police to come to our aid,” he added.