The embattled Afenifere Youth Leader and kidnap survivor, Eniola Ojajuni, has ignited the legal option over a statement by the Nigeria Police Force, Ondo State Command, discrediting his account of abduction by gun-wielding kidnappers.
Ojajuni who claimed to have been allegedly whisked away by kidnappers at Akunnu Akoko, on his way to Abuja, released gory videos of the obvious maltreatment by his kidnappers who threatened to take his life should he fail to remit a stated amount of money as ransom within a short period of time.
His released video in a sorry state attracted attention and funds that expedited his release from the den of the kidnappers. He claimed to have been rescued from Ibillo in Edo State by the Ondo Command of the Nigeria Forest Guards which facilitated his rescue to Ikare General Hospital where the bullets deposited in his buttocks were operated.
In the aftermath of his release, he at first made claims having to do with his knowledge of many hideouts of kidnappers across Southwest. He thereafter alleged that four Obas in the Akoko Area, northern part of the State are aiding the activities of kidnappers in the State.
While this statement sounded controversial, it also opened the can of worms as the operatives of the Nigeria Police Force proceeded to release a statement discrediting his alleged kidnap which they claimed is riddled with inconsistencies. The Police also claimed to have invited him for debriefing over the said kidnap which they claimed is at variance with the modus operandi of known kidnapping syndicates in the State. They revealed how he refused to honour the invite.
The statement reads:
“The attention of the Ondo State Police Command has been drawn to a recent claim made on social media by Mr. Eniola Ojajuni, a youth leader of the Afenifere group, alleging that four traditional rulers in the Akoko area are in connivance with kidnappers.”
“He also expressed dissatisfaction over what he described as the failure of the police to invite him for a debrief following his release from captivity.”
“While the Command takes such allegations seriously, we find it necessary to set the record straight. Contrary to Mr. Ojajuni’s assertions, he was neither kidnapped nor released by any known abductor within Ondo State.”
“Nevertheless, the Command, in collaboration with other Police Commands, made every possible effort to facilitate his safe return, even in the face of numerous inconsistencies in his statements.”
“These inconsistencies were directly contradicted by accounts provided by his wife and brothers, all of whom were contacted during the period of his supposed abduction.”
“Following his release, Mr. Ojajuni has persistently ignored multiple invitations from the Ondo State Police Command for a formal debrief. This debrief could have significantly aided ongoing investigations, especially given the unusual nature of the claims surrounding his case.”
“To be clear, the alleged abduction of Mr. Eniola Ojajuni remains shrouded in mystery, marked by conflicting narratives and actions inconsistent with the known modus operandi of kidnapping syndicates in the state.”
“Notably, a video released by his purported abductors during his alleged captivity is at odds with the behavior of any such groups previously investigated or arrested. Intelligence gathered from past kidnapping cases and confessions by arrested suspects indicate that many of these criminals do not even own smartphones, let alone record or disseminate footage of their victims.”
“This unusual detail raises further questions and could potentially compromise legitimate efforts to trace and apprehend actual criminals.”
“We urge the public, especially individuals with credible evidence or knowledge of criminal activities, to come forward and assist the police in the pursuit of justice. The Nigeria Police Force is a professional law enforcement body committed to upholding justice without fear or favor. Anyone found culpable, regardless of social status, will face the full weight of the law.”
“However, we reiterate that law enforcement and criminal prosecution cannot be conducted on social media. While public discourse has its place, proper investigation and due process remain the only paths to justice. Online trials are often misleading, lacking the objectivity and rigor required to ensure fairness.”
“Security is a collective responsibility. We appeal to all residents of Ondo State to continue to support the police and other security agencies as we intensify our efforts to protect lives and property.”
“The Command remains resolute in its mission to maintain peace and security across the state. Residents are encouraged to go about their lawful activities without fear.”
However, Ojajuni replied the Nigeria Police by alleging lie, conspiracy against his person. He insisted that the Nigeria Police has never invited him over his kidnap but had rushed to release a statement discrediting it after he made damning allegation against some traditional rulers in the State.
In a latest preaction notice discovered by our correspondent, Ojajuni, through his lawyer, Wale Omolegbon Esq., has written the Nigeria Police, calling for the retraction of the alleged defamatory statement in a publication in three National Newspapers as well as the payment of 1 Billion Naira in damages. He however threatened lawsuit should the Force fail to fulfill the stipulated obligations arising from the defamation against him.
An excerpt from the notice reads:
“Defamatory Publication Against Prince Eniola Ojajuni: Demand for Retraction with Apology and Payment of Damages
We are solicitors to PRINCE ENIOLA OJAJUNI of No. 11, Ojajuni Street, Mile 12, off Ikorodu Road, Lagos, hereinafter called our client and on whose instrction we write.
Our briefing is as follows:
1. That on 17th February, 2025,our client was kidnapped at Akunmu, Akoko while on his way to Abuja and our client spent 12 days in thr custody of the kidnappers.
2. That during the period that our client was in the custody of the kidnappers, our client’s w8fe and family members contacted various security agencies which includes the DSS office at Akure, the DSS office at Lagos, the Anti-Kidnapping Department of the Ondo State Police Command, the Kogi State Police Command etc.
3. That after our client was released by the kidnappers, the Commandant of the Ondo State Forest Guards led our client to the Ikare General General Hospital where our client went through medical operation for the extraction of the bullets that were buried in his buttocks due to the gunshot injury from the kidnappers.”
