The Federal College of Agriculture, Akure (FECA), has issued a statement refuting claims that two of the three individuals kidnapped on Saturday, August (insert date if available), were current students of the institution. The kidnapping occurred at a farm in Oke Oge, located within the Oba Ile community of Akure North Local Government Area, Ondo State. While initial reports suggested the victims included two students on industrial training, FECA clarified that the individuals involved had already graduated and were completing their mandatory one-year industrial training program off-campus. The college emphasized that these graduates were no longer under their direct jurisdiction and, therefore, FECA could not be held accountable for their abduction or any subsequent ransom demands.
The abduction unfolded on a Saturday evening when gunmen stormed the farm, seizing three individuals, including the farm manager and two recent FECA graduates. Following the incident, the kidnappers reportedly contacted the families of the victims, demanding a ransom of N15 million for their release. News of the kidnapping quickly spread, with some media outlets incorrectly reporting the victims as current FECA students. This sparked immediate concern and prompted the college’s management to issue a public statement clarifying the situation and addressing the misinformation circulating in the media.
In their official statement, the college’s Registrar, Mr. Olufemi Owolabi, categorically denied the claims of current student involvement. He reiterated that while the institution sympathized with the victims and their families, the graduates were undertaking their industrial training externally, placing them outside FECA’s academic and administrative purview. Mr. Owolabi stressed that this off-campus training program meant the college bore no responsibility for the unfortunate incident or the ransom demands being made. The statement further commended the security agencies, particularly the Ondo State Security Network (Amotekun Corps), for their swift response and ongoing efforts to secure the victims’ safe return.
The college management also appealed to the media and the public to exercise caution and verify information before disseminating it to avoid spreading inaccuracies and causing unnecessary alarm. They underscored that false reports could create panic and misrepresent the reality of the situation. To reassure the college community, the management confirmed that campus operations remained unaffected, with all academic and administrative activities continuing as usual. They emphasized that FECA maintained a safe and secure learning environment for its students and staff.
The Ondo State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Funmilayo Odunlami, confirmed the deployment of anti-kidnapping units to the affected area. She assured the public that security operatives were actively conducting search and rescue operations within the forests surrounding the farm where the abduction took place. Their primary objective was to locate and secure the release of all three victims. This incident underscores the continuing security challenges faced by communities in the region, highlighting the vulnerability of individuals, including those engaged in off-campus activities.
This incident underscores the importance of accurate reporting in sensitive situations like kidnappings. The initial misidentification of the victims as current students created unnecessary anxiety among the FECA community and their families. FECA’s prompt clarification helped to mitigate this, highlighting the need for responsible media practices and verified information dissemination. The ongoing police operation signifies the collective effort to address security concerns in the area and ensure the safe return of the abducted individuals. The incident serves as a reminder of the precarious security situation in parts of Nigeria and the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between security agencies and the public.
