The family members of a businessman in Ede, Osun State, Mr. Saka Olaoye, are worried following the disappearance of the man since Saturday, March 19, 2016. Olaoye, who has a hotel and a filling station in Ede, was said to have travelled from Ede to Ogbomoso in Oyo State and was supposed to go to Ilorin in Kwara State on that day.

He was said to have suddenly gone incommunicado and had not been found. Some of his friends and family members on Wednesday said they believed the businessman was kidnapped, but were perplexed that nobody had established any contact with the family, while no ransom had been demanded.

A relative of the businessman, who pleaded not to be named, said family members believed that Olaoye was kidnapped and he was still alive. He said the disappearance of the man had become a source of worry, and was having a negative impact on his businesses.

A prominent indigene of Ede, Prof. Siyan Oyeweso, who spoke to our correspondent on the telephone, said family members and friends were worried that Olaoye had not been found 19 days after he left home. He said the case had been reported to the police in Osogbo, Ilorin and Ogbomoso.

Oyeweso said the car used by Olaoye on the day was eventually found along the Ogbomoso-Ajaawa Road in Oyo State. He said, "The man, who was kidnapped, is not just a businessman, but a prominent philanthropist in Ede.

"He travelled on Saturday March 19, and he has not been found since then. We are worried, but we believe that he will be found. "The case has been reported to the police. It was reported in Osogbo, Ogbomoso and Ilorin. We are sure the police will find him."

The Police Public Relations Officer in Osun State, Mrs, Folasade Odoro, could not be reached as calls made to her mobile phone rang out. A text message sent to her telephone had also yet to be replied to.