The family of a retired Director kidnapped in Delta State, Mr Emmanuel Ofobrukueta has urged the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun to intervene for his immediate rescue.
The Principal Partner of Forthright Chambers, a solicitor for the Ofobrukueta family, Mr Frank Tietie appealed at a news conference in Abuja after his law firm submitted a petition to the IGP on the matter.
According to Tietie, the victim, who retired six years ago from the Post-Primary Education Board (PPEB) in Asaba, was kidnapped by armed men on January 13 in front of his house in Mosogar, near Sapele, Delta State.
He revealed that Ofobrukueta was abducted on the day he was scheduled to travel to Asaba to process and collect his pension payment. “The victim had since been in the kidnappers’ den for the past two months despite efforts by the Delta State Police Command to rescue him. The victim’s family had been going through pain.
“As part of an effort to rescue the victim, the Ofobrukueta family two days after the incident engaged in some self-help activities including the engagement of a private tracking company to get the victim rescued,” Tietie said.
He added that a sum of N4,020,000 was paid as ransom to the kidnappers through certain individuals who volunteered to deliver the money to the abductors. “Unfortunately, despite efforts by his family, Ofobrukueta was yet to be released by his abductors and no word had been heard from him or the abductors even after the ransom was paid,” Tietie said.
He noted that some Ofobrukueta family members suspected the victim’s close associates, including the ransom bearers, of collaborating with the kidnappers.
Tietie added that while the victim’s family had begun to lose hope, as solicitors to the family, they remained confident in the ability of the Nigeria Police to handle the case.
“I urge the IGP to directly take interest in the matter of Mr. Ofobrukueta. We believe the IGP has the resources and capable men and women of the Nigeria Police Force to deploy to Delta or any part of Nigeria to ensure that the victim is rescued.
“The IGP, as a matter of social responsibility on the part of the government, should ensure that Ofobrukueta is accounted for as a citizen of Nigeria,’’ he said.
Tietie also urged the Delta State Government to take an interest in the matter to ensure Ofobrukueta’s safe rescue, appealing that the victim’s family should not be abandoned.
He further called on the Nigeria Police and relevant authorities to ensure the rescue of all victims held in the kidnappers’ den.
