The principal of Madonna Secondary School, Obo Ntanya in Oruk Anam Local Area, Mr Monday Ekoriko, who was kidnapped recently in his community, Udianga Enem, Etim Ekpo Local Government Area, has regained freedom from his abductors after spending two weeks in the kidnappers’ den The Trumpet has gathered.
Ekoriko, a church leader of the United Evangelical Church (UEC), was whisked away by armed hoodlums, who stormed his Udianga Enem country home in Etim Ekpo LGA, on September 4, using his Lexus SUV, which was later abandoned along Ekparakwa axis in Oruk Anam council area.
Our correspondent gathered that the kidnappers had demanded N50 million but later settled for N4.2million to secure his freedom.
Speaking with our correspondent in Uyo, on Monday, Ekoriko said he was subjected to death threats throughout his travails in the forest in a bid to compel him to quickly raise the ransom.
“They took me from their camp, tied my face with black ribbon and escorted me out of the forest and dropped me somewhere in a community in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area at about 12:10 am this morning (yesterday). From there, I did not know immediately where I was because there was nobody at that hour of the night.
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“I started trekking and jogging from there towards Ekparakwa axis and headed towards Ukanafun when my eyes became clearer. At Ukanafun, I was able to connect with my friend, who drove me to my compound, Udianga Enem in Etim Ekpo”, adding that he was fed with beans, eba and fruits, especially cucumber during the two weeks in their captivity.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Akwa Ibom, SP Odiko Mcdon, assured that “despite the release of the school principal, the Command will stop at nothing to ensure that the perpetrators are arrested and brought to book.
“The Commissioner of Police, Mr Olatoye Durosinmi, has vowed that the matter will be investigated.
“Security in Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun has been beefed-up to forestall such incidents in the future,” he added.
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