The family of a 30-year-old contractor,
Ifeanyichukwu Ugeh, who was kidnapped in Asaba, Delta State, has been
contacted by a man who claimed to have the victim.
A family source, who spoke on condition
of anonymity, said the suspect, who did not identify himself, demanded
N100, 000 which he said he would use to make some settlements before
releasing the victim to the family.
PUNCH Metro had reported on May 4, 2015, that Ifeanyichukwu left home for work on February 27, 2015.
The Oshimili North Local Government
Area, Delta State indigene, was reported to have been kidnapped on the
Okpanam Expressway around 8am.
He was said to have been driven away in his car by two gunmen, who came out of a bush.
Efforts by policemen from the Okpanam
Police Division to rescue him had been abortive, just as the family said
it had yet to be contacted by the kidnappers.
However, after the publication, our correspondent learnt that someone called the family, claiming to have the victim.
The family source said, “After your
publication, the man got our contact and called us. He said he had
Ifeanyi and that he was in Ore in Ondo State.
“He said our brother had mental problem
and he had asked him several questions about his relatives, but he could
not remember anything. He said he was treating him when he saw the
publication and got to know his real name. He said he also showed
Ifeanyichukwu the story The PUNCH published and he said it was his picture.
“The man now went to his Facebook page and saw one of his friends, who gave him our number.”
Our correspondent learnt that the
suspect, however, insisted that he did not kidnap the victim, but merely
saw him on the road and decided to add him to his company of mentally
sick patients.
The family source explained to PUNCH Metro
that the family was negotiating with the caller on how to rescue
Ifeayinchukwu, when he suddenly switched off his phone and had remained
unreachable.
“He said he was afraid for his life and
did not want the involvement of the police. But despite the assurances
we gave him, he suddenly switched off his phone and we have not been
able to reach him again,” he added.
Another family member, who did not want
to be named, however, said she did not believe the suspect’s claim,
adding that he might be one of the abductors.
PUNCH Metro was told that the victim’s family later decided to comb the Ore area, but did not find either the victim or the suspect.
The victim’s elder sister, Oprah, told
our correspondent that their 85-year-old mother had been hospitalised as
a result of the incident.
She said, “My mum has continued to ask
if she would ever see her son alive again. We are appealing to the
kidnappers to please release him. Whatever he has done; please forgive
him and let him go.”
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Delta State, DSP Celestina Kalu, was said to be unavailable for comment.
An unidentified officer, who spoke with
our correspondent, said, “She is not available now. You can check back
tomorrow (today).”
No comments:
Post a Comment