Abductors of school principal in A’Ibom demand N50m ransom

Ini Billie, Uyo

The abductors of the Principal General, Madonna Secondary School, Obo Ntanya, Mr Monday Ekoriko in Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State are demanding a ransom of N50m one week after he was kidnapped.

The outlaws are said to be threatening to kill their victim within 24 hours if the ransom is not remitted to them immediately.

But the police in the state have assured that the hoodlums would soon be apprehended, adding that the police have recovered the principal’s SUV stolen during the kidnap.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Odiko Macdon, who confirmed the recovery of the principal’s SUV said, “operatives of the Command are closing in on the criminal elements. We can confirm the recovery of the car.

“The Police have nothing to do with the ransom, but I can assure you that very soon the hoodlums will be apprehended and brought to justice because the Commissioner of Police, Olatoye Durosinmi, who is personally directing the operation has zero tolerance for crime”.

According to family sources, the principal was seized by unknown gunmen at his country home, Udianga Enem village in Etim Ekpo LGA, last Saturday while visiting to attend a Church service at the United Evangelical Church he personally built in the community.

Speaking on the kidnappers’ demands, the eldest son of the victim, Menyene Ekoriko said, “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 the threat that some people have paid for my father to be killed; that only a higher amount would save him”.

Menyene added that his father’s Lexus SUV used by the kidnappers in whisking him away, has been recovered, where it was abandoned at the Ekparakwa axis of Oruk Anam LGA.

Also speaking, the Youths Leader in the community, Comrade Udeme John, described the incident as sad and called on the Police and other security agencies to intensify efforts with a view to rescuing the teacher alive and unharmed.