After 39 harrowing days in the custody of kidnappers, Oyo State All Progressives Congress chieftain, Wale Oriade, has regained his freedom, bringing a tense chapter in Ibadan’s recent security history to a close.

Oriade, a prominent grassroots mobiliser within the APC in Oyo State, was seized by armed men at his office at PJ Square Shopping Complex, beside the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited station at Elewure, along Iyana Ajanla, Akala Expressway, New Garage, Ibadan.

Witnesses at the busy commercial strip recalled how an otherwise ordinary evening turned into a scene of panic. A blue Micra car, a common commercial vehicle in Ibadan, reportedly pulled up in front of the complex. Inside were two men: a driver and another man believed to be armed. The operation, according to those who saw it, was swift and calculated.

“They came in quietly, like regular customers,” one eyewitness recounted. “Before people realised what was happening, they had grabbed him and forced him into the car. The whole thing took only a few moments, but it was clear they knew exactly who they were looking for.”

The abduction sent shockwaves through the political community in Oyo State. Oriade is known within party circles as a loyal organiser and a link between the party hierarchy and local structures. His sudden disappearance raised fears that the incident might be politically motivated, though no group publicly claimed responsibility and the abductors reportedly focused on ransom demands rather than political messages.

Throughout his captivity, party members, family, and associates mounted pressure on security agencies and quietly explored back-channel negotiations. The Oyo State chapter of the APC, already grappling with internal realignments and preparations for future electoral contests, found itself forced to confront the growing spectre of insecurity that has increasingly affected politicians, businesspeople, and professionals across the South-West.

The Public Relations Officer of the APC in Oyo State, Wale Sadare, confirmed Oriade’s release in a telephone conversation from Ibadan. He expressed relief on behalf of the party and hinted at the emotional toll the ordeal had taken on those close to the victim.

“Yes, I can confirm it. He has been released,” Sadare said, adding that the party was grateful that the episode ended without loss of life. He declined to provide detailed information on the circumstances of the release, citing ongoing security concerns and the need to protect those who facilitated negotiations.

However, investigations by journalists and local sources indicate that a ransom was paid before Oriade was freed. While the exact amount remains undisclosed, those familiar with the matter suggested that the abductors maintained steady contact with the family and negotiators, insisting on payment and issuing threats whenever talks appeared to stall.

Security analysts note that the pattern of the abduction fits a broader trend of targeted kidnappings in urban centres, where mid-level political figures and business owners are increasingly seen as lucrative targets. The use of a common city vehicle, the choice of a familiar commercial location, and the speed of the operation all point to a group that had studied its target and the environment carefully.

Residents and traders around the PJ Square Shopping Complex say the incident has left a lingering sense of fear. Many now close earlier than usual, and some have installed additional security measures such as surveillance cameras and reinforced doors. “We used to think this kind of thing only happened on highways or in remote areas,” a shop owner said. “Now it is happening right in front of our shops.”

As of the time of filing this report, the Oyo State Police Command had yet to issue a formal statement on the case. Police sources, speaking off the record, suggested that an investigation was ongoing, but acknowledged the difficulty of tracking kidnap gangs that operate fluidly across state lines and rely on cash payments and unregistered communication channels.

Human rights advocates and civic groups in Oyo State have used the incident to renew calls for a more coordinated security strategy, including better intelligence gathering, community policing, and stricter regulation of commercial vehicles often used in such operations. They argue that the successful abduction of a well-known political figure in a busy part of Ibadan underscores the vulnerability of ordinary citizens who lack influence or resources.

Within the APC, Oriade’s return is being treated as both a personal victory and a sobering reminder of the risks associated with public life in a climate of rising insecurity. Party insiders say there will likely be internal discussions on how to better protect key figures, especially those who operate at the local level and are more exposed in their daily routines.