Ini Billie, Uyo
The Paramount Ruler of Mbo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, His Royal Majesty, Ogwong Okon A. Abang has been released after a ransom of N50 million was paid to his abductors.
Police Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom Command, ASP Timfon John, confirmed the release of the Paramount Ruler kidnapped on May 18, 2024, in his palace in Ebughu, Mbo LGA.
However, John did not give details of the ransom payment, or the amount involved. She simply said, “Yes, it’s true, he has been released”.
A community leader in the area who chose to remain unnamed told our Correspondent that the Paramount Ruler was released after the sum of N50 million was paid.
“The monarch was released early this (Monday) morning and I can tell you the abductors collected N50 million to release him.
“The community is bitter, especially from the realisation that some youths from within were among the kidnappers. We have vowed to get to the bottom of this and bring them to book.
“This whole thing is induced by sheer greed and then envy by some mischievous community stakeholders over the exalted stool the Paramount Ruler occupies. Long may he reign.
“The monarch has been taken to hospital for proper medicare and his wife who was shot while he was being abducted is recuperating fast and will be discharged soon,” the source stated.
It can be recalled that the Paramount Ruler was kidnapped from his palace at about 9 pm on May 18 amidst gunshots while he was dragged away, leaving his wife, Obonganwan Okon Abang, with a gunshot wound on her leg.
Besides, a Medical Doctor, Dr Dr John Robbin Esu, kidnapped in Oron Local Government Area on April 30, 2024, is yet to be released, forcing the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to withdraw its services indefinitely from public and private hospitals in the state.