Kidnap horror in Rivers: Doctor, businessman’s wife held
Kidnappers are still holding a member of the Rivers State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Frank Chukwudi, and the wife of the Chairman of Egi Oil and Gas, Mr. Uche Ogura.
Chukwudi and Ogura’s wife were kidnapped on Tuesday.Their whereabouts remain unknown.
Chukwudi was seized by gunmen in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on his way from work at about 6.30pm, while Ogura’s wife was abducted at Obubu community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of the state.
However, the wife of Mr. Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), Olanrewaju, who was kidnapped in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, has regained her freedom, with the kidnappers earlier demanding N100 million ransom. But it was not clear if the ransom was paid before she was set free.
Adedipe was the lead counsel to Rivers governor, Rotimi Amaechi, at the reconstituted Election Petitions Tribunal in Port Harcourt.
She was kidnapped by four gunmen in a Toyota car, as she was driving out of her Rumuodomaya, Port Harcourt residence in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.
The hoodlums reportedly shot sporadically into the air to scare passersby, having earlier used their car to block the lawyer’s vehicle.
The Nation on Saturday gathered that two of the kidnappers forced Mrs Adedipe into the back seat of their car with the two other occupants, including the driver. The operation lasted about ten minutes.
The kidnap took place at a junction between Woshikem and Okpowowabasi Streets in Rumuodomaya.
Rivers Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ben Ugwuegbulam, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), yesterday confirmed Olanrewaju’s release, but was silent on whether ransom was paid.
The Rivers chapter of the NMA, while condemning the kidnap of Dr. Briggs Aluye, in Port Harcourt yesterday, said the criminals initially demanded N150 million ransom but reduced it to N12 million yesterday.
NMA said: “The fact remains that kidnapping is still on and has become a lucrative business for many misguided persons. The NMA is not comfortable with the ugly trend presently rocking the state (Rivers) and the nation at large.
”As doctors, we will not take it kindly and hope that the relevant authorities are alive to their responsibilities. We are, therefore, calling on the Rivers State government and the general public to intervene and ensure his (Dr. Frank Chukwudi) immediate and unconditional release.”
Rivers Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Indabawa, confirmed the kidnap of the doctor and Ogura’s wife but pledged that the two victims would soon regain their freedom.
We enjoin our readers to send their stories/articles/reports, including pictures to story@riversstatenews.com Comments
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