Abductor Of Mother of First Bank Manager Demands N100M Ransom

By Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

Kidnappers, who abducted 65- year old mother of the First Bank Manager, Ughelli Branch, Madam Angela Atiku, are Currently asking for N100 million ransom for her to regain her freedom.

Madam Atiku, was abducted by unknown gunmen on Monday at her residence, oguname-Olomu quarters in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta,

But the Delta state Police Command through the Commissioner, Hafiz Mohammed Inuwah who spoke to Journalists on Tuesday in Asaba, said the Police were working hard to release the woman unhurt.

Inuwah revealed that the abductors were being tracked through intelligence gathering and undisclosed strategies.

It was gathered that Madam Atiku was Kidnapped and whisked away by six-man hoodlums who stormed her residence at about 8pm on the fateful Monday armed with AK47 guns and started shooting sporadically to scare passersby who smelt a rat of Kidnapping meele during the hours.

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They were said to have forcefully dragged the woman into their waiting vehicle, with no plate numbers, at gunpoint before they zoomed off to an unknown destination.

The incident created fear in the community and among residents, who watched the unfolding event helplessly, and speechless.

Unconfirmed sources said that over sixteen persons in the last few weeks have been kidnapped by these rampaging kidnappers who in most cases also rob unsuspecting residents at gunpoint especially during nighfall and in the early hours of the morning.

Investigation further revealed that about three weeks ago, a Chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party ( PDP) and ward Chairman in the area, Paul Onomukpokpo was assassinated by yet unidentified gunmen.

Three others persons were also Kidnapped and taken away by their abductors to unknown destinations.

As at press time, the kidnappers are yet to establish contact or make demands for ransom from families and friends of the victims.

A family member of Madam Angela Atiku who spoke to Journalists on Tuesday in the area, said that the Abductors were asking for N100million through the First Bank Manager, Philip Atiku, adding that negotiation was ongoing with a view to ensuring her release unhurt

Further investigation revealed that the entire Ughelli North and South Communities have been under seige of armed bandits including Kidnappers who during nighfall shoot sporadically from their operational base after critical survey of their targeted persons before moving into action under dastardly motivated activities.

But the police commissioner, Hafiz Mohammed Inuwah speaking further, said that the increasing kidnappings in the areas may have been informed by Joblessness and desperation of the youths to meet their financial burdens, warning that the police will do everything possible to eradicate all forms of crimes in the state and denied any knowledge of any ransom established with the family members of the abducted woman

Meanwhile, Delta state Traffic Management Agency (DESTMA)  has commenced operations to arrest and impound vehicles users of illegal and expired number plate including non registered vehicles in the state from next Monday

The Director General of the Agency Azubuike Idah confirms that there will be no sacred cows during the exercise adding that the exercise was not to witchunt anyone but to rid the roads in the state of all such traffic offenders, ensure safety on the roads and stop the revenue loss to the state government, caused by the actions of traffic violators

He reaffirmed the Commitment of the Agency to ensure that people obey traffic laws, no matter their status in the society, Check drivers’ licenses, ensure that anyone behind the wheel is qualified to drive and that nobody drives against the traffic laws and regulations

He said” I am disappointed that less than Sixty five percent of vehicles plying the roads in the state are doing so with fake, expired, and illegal or covered number plates,we will continue to bring them to arrest and ensure that the right things are done and not working through the back doors in the state”

28th March 2024
Nigerian Pantagraph
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