Abductors of Cross River commissioner demand N100m ransom

Kidnappers of the Cross River State Commissioner for Water Resources, Gabriel Oji are asking for N100 million ransom. But the State Security Adviser, Jude Ngaji yesterday dismissed the report saying there was no truth in it. However, reports around town is that the abductors have got in touch with Oji’s family and are demanding N100 million before his release can be affected.

It was also gathered that his kidnap was politically motivated as he was rumoured to be sympathetic to Senator Owan Enoh who is alleged to be at loggerheads with Governor Ben Ayade.

Ngaji also dismissed the insinuations, saying the state government, in collaboration with the security agencies were working to ensure the release of the Commissioner who was abducted by unknown gunmen on April 9, 2017, adding, “hopefully, he would be released sooner than later.”

He however, declined to give details but admitted that the Commissioner’s abduction was beyond the run-of-the-mill kidnapping, but security agencies were working to secure Oji’s release soon

“By the end of today or latest tomorrow he will be released. When he is out, I will address the media. The whole thing is beyond mere kidnapping as it is being reported. There are a lot of issues surrounding the matter, including even domestic issues.

“It was not a case of normal kidnapping. Normal kidnapping cannot be a situation where a kidnapper comes into your house, pick you up and go away. He was not abducted in a restaurant as it was reported,” he said.

On the ransom, he said: “I am not aware of any demand for N100 million ransom. Our position as a government is that we don’t pay ransom to kidnappers. The police authorities and other security agencies are doing their work and we are working towards his release between today and tomorrow and after that we would talk to the press.

I cannot say more than that for now.”It was reported that some unknown gunmen kidnapped Orji at a restaurant along Mayne Avenue on April 9 and his whereabouts has remained largely unknown.