How ex-Rep Mrakpor was released in Bayelsa 10 days after abduction — Police

Delta State Police Commissioner, Mr. Olufemi Abaniwonda, on Tuesday, revealed how the kidnapped former House of Representatives member, Joan Onyemachi Mrakpor, was released in Bayelsa State, 10 days after she was abducted in neighboring Delta State.

Mrakpor, a two-time member of the Delta State House of Assembly, was reportedly kidnapped by unknown gunmen on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at 4:30 pm inside the hall of King Jesus and I Church located on Ogajifo Street off Delta Broadcasting Service Road, Asaba.

Speaking with The Guardian in Asaba after the release of Mrakpor, the immediate past Commissioner for Technical Education, Abaniwonda, explained that she was released by her abductors because there was “too much pressure” from security personnel.

He said that aside from the pressure, the identities of Ada Anioma’s abductors and their location were also known; “and based on that, they didn’t have any option but to surrender and release their victim.”

The CP, who assured that Delta State is extremely safe “even though we have this unfortunate incident,” pointed out that a good number of the kidnappers have been arrested, while the police are on the trail of others who are currently on the run.

“I will not give you figures not to jeopardise the ongoing investigations, but we have a number of people in our custody. At the appropriate time, we will give you the number, their identities, and the level of their involvement.

“When you have these kinds of breaches, what is important is the way you respond, the way you are able to bring the perpetrators to book.”

While appealing to Deltans to be conscious of their environment and the strange movement of people in order to be on the safer side, the Police boss posited that the kidnapping operation of the famous politician was well planned and hurriedly executed.

“Yes, it was well planned. They had a getaway vehicle waiting, a getaway boat waiting, and they knew the location of the security, and did everything to avoid the security points within the state.

“We have beefed up security, locked down Asaba capital territory to ensure that such doesn’t happen again.

“But, of course, a criminal is a criminal. We are on top of the situation; so long as there is a breach of the law and you are able to arrest, prosecute, and bring them to justice, it means others will learn a lesson,” he said.

On why they escaped with their victim unchallenged, he said, “We had wrong information, and our assessment was that they would follow the usual way to the bush, but they carried out their operation in a hurry, then left through the waterside and burned their vehicle.”

Mr. Olufemi Abaniwonda also hinted that he was not aware whether or not the family of Joan Onyemachi Mrakpor paid any ransom to the kidnappers before she was released.

“For ransom, we don’t encourage the payment. So, none of the security personnel is aware if any ransom was paid, but we are working with other security agencies to apprehend and prosecute them,” he declared.