According to a report by The Nation Nigeria on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, the Vice Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government Area, Hon. Chief Mrs. Grace Ogunleye, has reportedly been abducted by suspected kidnappers along the Ipere-Iludun Ekiti road in Ekiti State.
The incident reportedly occurred while Ogunleye was returning to Ido-Ekiti after attending an official engagement in Ilejemeje earlier in the day.
Sources within the local government disclosed that her vehicle was later found abandoned by the roadside along the isolated stretch connecting Ipere and Iludun Ekiti. Attempts to reach her through her mobile phone were unsuccessful, as the line had reportedly been switched off.
The abduction has heightened fear among residents of the area, coming barely three weeks after suspected gunmen reportedly kidnapped worshippers in Eda Oniyo within the same local government area.
Confirming the incident, the Director of Information and Civic Orientation in Ilejemeje Local Government, Falade Sunday, said security agencies had been notified and rescue efforts were ongoing.
According to him, “The Vice Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government, Mrs. Grace Ogunleye, has reportedly been kidnapped along Ipere–Iludun Ekiti road. Her vehicle was later found abandoned while her whereabouts remain unknown.”
He added that the vice chairman had visited Ilejemeje earlier in the day before the unfortunate incident occurred on her return journey to Ido-Ekiti.
Residents of the area have expressed concern over the increasing cases of kidnapping and insecurity in parts of Ilejemeje and neighbouring communities, urging security agencies to intensify surveillance and ensure the safe rescue of the council official.
Efforts to obtain an official reaction from the Ekiti State Police Command were unsuccessful as calls to the Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, reportedly went unanswered as of the time of filing the report.