Grief and outrage have continued to trail the death of Dr. AbdulRaif Adekunle Adeniji (popularly called Congo), a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and National Director of Administration of the party, who was kidnapped and later confirmed dead in captivity under heart-wrenching circumstances.
Dr. Adeniji was appointed Director of Administration in the APC National Secretariat in August 2024, following the resignation of his predecessor, Professor Alaba Adediwura.
A former Ife Central Local Government Chairman and indigene of Ile-Ife, Osun State, Adeniji was kidnapped on January 26, 2025 along with his cousin, Akinropo Adesiyan, and his wife, Esther Adesiyan in their home in Kubwa, Bwari Council Area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Premium Times learnt that the 66-year-old politician took up residence with his cousin in Kubwa after his appointment as the APC national director of administration and was killed shortly after being abducted by kidnappers in January. However, this information only came to light recently when his cousin, who was rescued along with other captives by security forces on April 7, 2025, disclosed it.
There appear to be deliberate efforts by security agencies and the ruling APC to withhold information regarding the circumstances of the kidnapping and subsequent death of a prominent member of the ruling party like Mr Adeniji while in the custody of kidnappers. This may stem from concerns about the potential adverse effects on the federal government’s proclaimed efforts, led by the APC, to ensure the security of lives and property in the nation.
Besides announcing on Thursday that it would temporarily close its national headquarters in honour of Mr Adeniji, who managed the daily operations of the secretariat until his abduction and subsequent death, the APC has not disclosed any further details regarding the top party official’s passing.
‘How it happened’
However, an APC chieftain, Jamiu Olawumi, who is privy to the incident, shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Friday, a deeper insight into the tragic events that led to the death of Mr Adeniji and his cousin’s wife.
He said the kidnappers, masquerading as concerned citizens, alerted Mr Adeniji and Mr Adesiyan that someone had jumped over their fence onto their premises in the dead of night.
The hoodlums claimed they were there to help flush out the suspect, but it was a clever decoy to gain entry into the premises. As they opened the gates, the bandits pounced on them. This set in motion a chain of events that would ultimately lead to the devastating outcome.
During their forced movement into the kidnappers’ den, tragedy struck when Prince Adesiyan’s wife, unable to keep up with the pace, was gunned down in the presence of her husband, child, and Dr Adeniji.
“The killing reportedly left Dr. Adeniji deeply traumatised. He was said to have slumped and died two hours after witnessing the murder, overwhelmed by emotional distress, and worsened by his close relationship with the Adesiyan family,” the sources said.
Shockingly, the kidnappers concealed the news of his death, continuing ransom negotiations as if he were alive.
The sources further said prominent Ife sons, including Mr. Ademola Wasiu (Double Dee) and Mr. Olusola Olajire (Solar), spearheaded frantic fundraising efforts after the abductors demanded a ransom of N50 million.
“Community members responded swiftly. When the time came to deliver the ransom, it was Mr Wasiu who braved the trip to the kidnappers’ den. Despite threats to detain him, he negotiated courageously, only to be assured falsely that all hostages were alive and in good condition.
“It was not until the eventual release of the remaining captives that the bitter truth emerged that Dr Adeniji had died long before negotiations concluded. This development has left the Ife community in mourning and disbelief.”
Mr Adesiyan, a Deputy Director at the National Assembly Commission, narrated his ordeals at the hands of the kidnappers, including being chained for 32 days and the killing of his wife in his presence.
According to Mr Olawumi, the kidnappers demanded a ransom of N250 million, but that the federal government explicitly instructed that no payment should be made. Mr Olawumi, however, could not confirm whether a ransom was ultimately paid.
On Tuesday, 8 April, Mr Adesiyan, alongside 59 others, was rescued from the Kidnappers’ den by troops of the Nigerian Army’s 1 Division.
While handing over 60 rescued kidnapped victims to their families, Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser (NSA), asked Nigerians to stop paying ransom to kidnappers.
Mr Ribadu said that paying ransom to kidnappers would only encourage them to continue in the crime, adding that it was also counterproductive, NAN reported.
“But I want to also use this opportunity to talk to our people to please, stop giving money to these people. It is one of the worst things that is happening,” he said.
According to Mr Olawumi, it was after the kidnapped victims were rescued, the APC and the family of Mr Adeniji knew he had passed on several weeks earlier.
He said the shock of Mr Adeniji’s death has left his wife and children in despair and sadness.
Silence from APC Leadership Condemned
The tragedy has also ignited strong criticism against the APC at both State and national levels. Professor Yemi Adediwura, a prominent APC member and indigene of Ile-Ife, condemned the party’s perceived neglect of the ancient town and its silence over Dr Adeniji’s abduction.
In a statement sent to Nigerian Tribune, he lamented that despite Ife’s consistent loyalty to the party, the ancient city has suffered systemic marginalisation for over a decade.
According to him, the APC’s failure to react promptly or mobilise efforts for Dr Adeniji’s rescue was not only disappointing but also reflective of a broader pattern of disregard.
“How does a party that cannot protect its own leaders expect to convince the people to vote again?” Adediwura queried, calling for urgent introspection ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial elections.
Civil Society Groups React
Adding their voice, the Osun Democrats for Democracy (ODD) described the handling of the incident by the APC as “callous and shameful.”
In a statement signed by its Director of Operations, Adeyefa Adeyemo, the group accused the party of indifference, deceit, and misinformation.
ODD revealed that even when Dr Adeniji’s corpse had been discovered by security operatives, APC leaders falsely announced that he had been released.
It took three days of mounting pressure before the party reversed its position and admitted to his death — a move civil society groups described as a betrayal of public trust.
“Hon. Adeniji was more than a party man. He was a committed son of Ife who deserved better — both in life and in death,” the statement read.
Countless individuals, including politicians, businesspeople, and ordinary citizens have fallen prey to kidnappers demanding ransom. Even when a ransom is paid, there is no guarantee that the victim will be released.
In recent years, incessant kidnappings along expressways and within the territory of the capital city, Abuja, has raised the spectre of insecurity among Nigerians.
Just last month in Zamfara State, five APC ward chairmen were abducted by suspected bandits while traveling to the Marafa area of the state.
A recent report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reveals alarming kidnapping statistics.
According to the 2024 Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey (CESPS), a staggering 2,235,954 kidnapping incidents occurred nationwide. Shockingly, 65 per cent of affected households reportedly paid ransoms totaling N2.2 trillion, with an average payment of N2.7 million per incident.
The National Security Adviser revealed that 50 people were rescued from the captivity of kidnappers last week.
Written with reports from Premium Times, Osun Defender