The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has made progress in their search for the kidnappers of Mr. Monday Ekoriko, the Principal-General of Madonna Community Secondary School in Oruk Anam Local Government Area of the state.
This is because the kidnappers have made contact with the family and are demanding N50 million in ransom or risk being killed if the demand is not met within the time frame specified.
Last Saturday, Ekoriko was abducted by unknown gunmen at his country home, Udianga Enem village in Etim Ekpo LGA, on his way to attend a church service at the United Evangelical Church, which he built himself.
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Speaking with newsmen on Friday, in Uyo, the state capital, his eldest son, Menyene, 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 a threat that some people have paid for my father to be killed, that only a higher amount would safe him”,
Menyene added that his father’s Lexus SUV which the kidnappers used in whisking him away had been recovered after it was abandoned at the Ekparakwa axis of Oruk Anam LGA.
The Youths’ Leader of the community, Comrade Udeme John, described the incident as sad and enjoined the Police and other security agencies to intensify their efforts with a view to rescuing the teacher alive and unharmed.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macdon, confirmed the recovery of the teacher’s SUV, assuring that “operatives of the command are closing in on the criminal elements”.
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“We can confirm the recovery of the car, the Police have 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 Olatoye Durosinmi, who is personally directing the operation has zero tolerance for crimes”, he assured.
