EXCLUSIVE: APC Chieftain, Hon. Abdul-raif Adekunle Adeniji, Kidnapped in Abuja — Family Pays N50 Million Ransom Amidst Silence from Party and NASS

By Mohammed Basah, Abuja, Nigeria

The spiraling wave of insecurity in the nation’s capital has claimed yet another high-profile victim with the abduction of Hon. Abdul-raif Adekunle Adeniji, PhD, the Director of Administration at the All Progressives Congress (APC) national secretariat. Dr. Adeniji was kidnapped on January 27, 2025, in the Chikakori area of Kubwa, Abuja, alongside his brother’s wife, whose corpse was discovered two days later.

The kidnappers are demanding a staggering N250 million in ransom for his release. So far, N50 million has been paid by the distressed family — with no assurance of his safety or timeline for release.

Dr. Adeniji, a former Chairman of Ife Local Government Area in 1999 and a close associate of Chief Bisi Akande, a long-time ally of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was reportedly ambushed while visiting relatives. His brother, a Director at the National Assembly, has remained inconsolable since the remains of his wife were found in a shallow grave on January 29 — a grim confirmation of the brutality of Nigeria’s worsening security nightmare.

Deafening Silence from the APC and National Assembly

Despite Dr. Adeniji’s strategic role in the party’s internal administration, the APC has maintained an unsettling silence. Neither the National Working Committee nor the Office of the Party Chairman has issued a statement or shown any visible effort to assist or rally support for one of their own.

Even more disturbing is the National Assembly’s total lack of engagement, despite the fact that the victim’s brother is a top-ranking civil servant within the legislature. A source familiar with the matter told this reporter:

“It’s heartbreaking. This is someone who served the party with loyalty for decades. The family is on their own, raising millions while those in power look away. If this can happen to a top official in the capital, what hope is there for the ordinary Nigerian?”

The source, who requested anonymity due to fear of political backlash, described the situation as a “test of conscience” for those who claim to lead with compassion.

A Shocking Reflection of the Nation’s Crisis

The kidnap of Dr. Adeniji and the brutal murder of his sister-in-law not only highlights the growing impunity of criminal gangs operating within Abuja but also underscores the institutional rot in Nigeria’s political and security architecture. That a senior APC official and public servant’s family can suffer such a fate in the seat of power — with no visible response from either the party or the legislature — raises serious questions about national priorities and internal party solidarity.

Security analysts say the case is emblematic of a broader governance failure, where political protection is selective and responses are transactional.

Call to Action

As the family continues to scramble for funds and cling to hope, the APC and National Assembly must not remain complicit through silence. Dr. Adeniji’s service to the party and country deserves better than abandonment in his hour of need.

In a nation already grappling with trust deficits, ignoring this case sends a chilling message to all public servants and party faithful — that loyalty does not guarantee protection.

The Renewed Hope agenda must start by valuing lives, especially of those who have served with distinction. Anything less would be a betrayal of the very ideals upon which this government claims to stand.

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