Falae may be flown abroad for treatment

For Chief Olu Falae, former Secretary to the Govern­ment of the Federation and National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), spending four days in the custody of abductors was as good as being in hell.

Falae, a seasoned politician and chieftain of the pan Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere said he went through the most horrible and agonizing part of his life in his 77 years of existence when he was ab­ducted by hoodlums suspected to be Fulani herdsmen and stayed for four days in captivity in the forest.

However, indications emerged yes­terday that the foremost politician may be flown abroad for medical treatment considering the trauma he went through while in the custody of his abductors.

A source close to the family re­vealed that arrangements are on by his children to take him abroad for medical examination.

The source hinted that the 77-year-old Falae has since been examined by his personal physician, adding that the Ondo State government may likely support the family in the care of the elder statesman, especially his medical trip abroad.

It was learnt that Falae will go through medical treatment in Akure, the Ondo State capital, but may be flown abroad for better medical care considering his horrible experience at his age.

It was not certain whether he (Fa­lae) has any health challenge before his abduction, but it was reliably gathered that his health has failed as he had no access to good foods, drinks and drugs which people of his age need during his period of captiv­ity.

Recounting his ordeal in the hands of his captors shortly after he regained freedom, Falae, who is also a former Minister of Finance, said he refused to eat the foods offered him by his ab­ductors, saying that he was helpless throughout the period of his captivity.

Although Falae refused to speak openly as a result of his health, which many believed has seriously wors­ened, he told the Ondo State Gov­ernor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko that he slept on bare floor with his shoes re­moved all through the period that he was held hostage.