Abuja, Nigeria – April 10, 2025
After enduring more than two months in captivity, Dr. Adekunle Raif Adeniji, Director of Administration at the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Secretariat, has regained his freedom. Dr. Adeniji was reportedly abducted by armed bandits in the Federal Capital Territory in early February 2025.
According to sources close to the family, the senior APC official was released earlier this week under undisclosed circumstances. It remains unclear whether the N350 million ransom previously demanded by the kidnappers was paid. Security agencies and the APC leadership have yet to issue official statements regarding the release.
Dr. Adeniji’s ordeal sparked widespread concern and drew attention to the increasing trend of high-profile kidnappings in the country’s capital.
In a related case, retired Brigadier-General Maharazu Tsiga, a former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), also regained his freedom after spending 22 days in captivity. He was abducted on February 6 from his home in Katsina State, with his captors demanding N250 million.
Both incidents have heightened public anxiety over the worsening state of insecurity in Nigeria, particularly in the nation’s capital and surrounding regions. Civil society organizations and political leaders have renewed calls for urgent reforms and improved intelligence efforts to combat banditry and kidnapping.
As the affected families celebrate the safe return of their loved ones, citizens continue to call on the federal government to intensify its efforts in securing lives and property across the nation.
