By; PATRICK TITUS Uyo
After a week of taking him hostage, kidnappers of the Principal General of Madonna Secondary School Obo Ntanya, Mr. Monday Ekoriko in Oruk Anam Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State have demanded for N50m ransom.
The kidnappers also threatened to kill their victim within 24 hours, if the ransom is not remitted to them immediately.
Ekoriko, according to family sources on Friday September 9, 2022, was abducted by unknown gunmen in his village at Udianga Enem village, Etim Ekpo Local Government Area last Saturday, while visiting the community to attend a church service at the United Evangelical Church (UEC), which he personally built for the people.
Victim’s first son, Menyene, said the kidnappers have established contact with the family, demanding for N50m
“They (the hoodlums) called me on phone and the number was hidden, saying we should hurriedly arrange N50 million before my father could be released.
“The discussion was so brief and sharp with threat that some people have paid for my father to be killed, that only a higher amount would save him,” he said.
He disclosed that his father’s Lexus SUV car which the kidnappers used in whisking him away, had been recovered as it was abandoned at the Ekparakwa axis of Oruk Anam Local Government Area, while their father was still in captivity.
The Youth Leader of the community, Comrade Udeme John, described the incident as sad and enjoined the Police and other security agencies to intensify their efforts to rescue the teacher alive and unhurt.
Meanwhile, Akwa Ibom State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Odiko Macdon, has confirmed the recovery of the teacher’s car and assured that the command has began manhunt for the kidnappers.
“We can confirm the recovery of the car, the Police has nothing to do with ransom, but I can assure you that very soon, the hoodlums will be apprehended and brought to justice because the Commissioner of Police (CP) Olatoye Durosinmi, who is personally directing the operation, has zero tolerance for crime,” he assured.
