Police highlight roles in Falae’s rescue

The Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, has maintained that police operation put pressure on kidnappers of a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae, and also led to his rescue.

The police in a rejoinder captioned: “Re: Ransom Payment by the Family of Chief Olu Falae,” also queried the payment of ransom to the kidnappers by Falae’s family.

The Force which claimed that it was not privy to the payment of ransom noted that it does not encourage the payment of ransom to kidnappers or other criminals.

The police, however, said it will investigate the ransom payment and determine how the money was paid.

The rejoinder highlighted some of the roles played by the police in Falae’s rescue.

“Our approach was a professional response to what we saw as a crime against a respected national personality known to embrace peace and who has dedicated most of his valuable life to selfless service of our nation.

“The police under the leadership of the IGP deployed our unique intelligence and operational capabilities including police helicopters for aerial surveillance. Our intelligence and operational teams comprising Intelligence Response Team (a Special Anti-Kidnapping Unit) took part in the exercise. Conventional and mobile policemen were deployed for rescue operation.

“They followed the path from the point of kidnapping at his farm at Ilado, along Igbatoro road in Akure, Ondo State and trailed the hoodlums through bushes to Owo in Ondo State. In the process, we were able to identify the major actors and currently high level police activities are being emplaced to apprehend and bring them to justice.”