Barely four days after the abduction of the Deputy Chief Press Secretary to Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, Mr. Freddy Ndigbara, his captors are demanding the sum of N100 million as ransom.
Ndigbara, who anchors Amaechi’s programme within and outside Government House, Port Harcourt, was kidnapped on Sunday while preparing for an All Progressives Congress rally in Kaani community, Khana Local Government Area.
It was gathered that Ndigbara, who is popularly called Freddie by Government House workers, was accosted and forced into a waiting car by his captors.
The hoodlums, according to an eyewitness, had stormed the rally with a red Toyota Highlander sports utility vehicle, made a quick search for their target before forcing him into the car.
But a source in Khana Local Government Area told our correspondent that Ndigbara kidnappers swore not to allow their victim go unless the sum of N100 million was paid.
The Punch learnt that Ndigbara’s abductors demanded for money after establishing contact with a member of his family.
“Yes, they have established contact with Freddie’s family and they (kidnappers) are demanding N100 million before they will release him. Everybody is sad that this is happening to Freddie.
“He (Ndigbara) is a gentleman and does not deserve what happened to him. We are appealing to those holding him hostage to release him. He is not a rich man,” the source said.
When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ahmad Mohammad, told our correspondent that investigation towards rescuing Ndigbara was in top gear.
Mohammad, however, added that he was aware that the kidnappers were demanding ransom for his (Ndigbara) release.
“Investigation and efforts towards rescuing the kidnap victim are in top gear. But I am not aware of any demand for ransom by his abductors,” the state police spokesman said.
The state governor had maintained that the abduction of his Deputy Chief Press Secretary was politically motivated.
Amaechi, who spoke through his Chief of Staff, Mr. Tony Okocha, stated that Ndigbara and one of the political leaders in Kaani, Mr. Celestine Akpobari, were able to convert over 5,000 members of the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC.
The governor pointed out that there was nothing wrong or extraordinary in what his aide did since the country was in a political setting where the electorate are being wooed from one political party to another.
