The Vice Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government Area in Ekiti State, Hon. Grace Ogunleye, has reportedly been abducted by suspected gunmen while returning from official duties.
According to sources within the local government, the incident occurred on Wednesday along the Ipere–Iludun Ekiti road, a route that has recently witnessed growing security concerns.
Residents and officials familiar with the development said Ogunleye was travelling back after attending official engagements when armed men allegedly intercepted her vehicle and whisked her away to an unknown destination.
Sources further revealed that her vehicle was later found abandoned by the roadside, raising alarm among residents and local authorities. Attempts to contact the vice chairman through her phone were reportedly unsuccessful, as the line could no longer be reached after the incident.
The abduction has triggered tension across Ilejemeje Local Government Area, with many residents expressing fears over the increasing rate of kidnappings and violent attacks in some parts of Ekiti State.
A senior official in the council, Falade Sunday, who serves as the Director of Information and Civic Orientation in the local government, reportedly confirmed the incident. He stated that security agencies had been informed and were already making efforts to secure Ogunleye’s safe release.
The latest incident comes amid rising insecurity in the area. In recent weeks, communities within Ilejemeje LGA have reportedly experienced attacks by armed criminals, including cases of kidnapping and violence targeting residents and worshippers.
There are also reports that some schools in the area were temporarily shut down by authorities due to security threats, especially following earlier attacks linked to suspected kidnappers operating within the region.
As of the time of filing this report, the Ekiti State Police Command had not released an official statement regarding the abduction. However, residents are calling on security agencies and the state government to intensify efforts to tackle insecurity and ensure the safe return of the council vice chairman.
