Dr. Udom, a retired staff of multi-national oil company, ExxonMobil staff, was abducted at his country home at Ikot Akai by the armed gunmen on April 9, 2017, and demanded a ransom of N500 million from the family of the educationist.
He was held in captivity for 32 days and when the family could not raise the amount, the kidnappers first cut off his fingers and after some more days, they cut off his wrist because the family could only come up with N5 million even when the bandits had reduced the ransom to N70 million.
Dr. Udom was finally released by the abductors on May 10 after his family paid the N5 million.
After he was released, Dr. Udom took to his Facebook page to publicly declare his health status after the police claimed he was released unhurt and without any ransom paid.
Read what he wrote:
“I am alive through the extended mercy, pardon, and love of our Lord Jesus Christ. He has forgiven my sins and has answered the prayers of all the Christians, Moslems in Nigeria, Cameroon, United Kingdom, and the United States.
The world prayed for 32 days of my captivity. May the good Lord bless you all abundantly in Jesus name, Amen.
May the good Lord bless the Governor of Akwa Ibom State and members of his executive council, the presidency, the good people of Ukanafun, my family and all the security agencies that had done everything possible to ensure my safe release.
Though I was released with my right hand cut off, I am eternally grateful to my God for the new life. My life was over.
Thanks to the government of Akwa Ibom State, all the pastors, ExxonMobil friends, all other friends and relatives who have provided for my hospital requirements."
One of his sons, however, believes his father's travails is because of jealousy and hatred, believing that some politicians in the area are not happy with his father for building a polytechnic and employing a lot of indigenes of the village in addition to ensuring that the community get electricity.