Police demand 15,000 to rescue priest from kidnappers

fuad lawal

May 21, 2015 10:50 PM

A reverend was reportedly kidnapped by unknown gunmen around Umumba Ndi Uno in the Ezeagu Local Government.

Reverend Louis Nebo, 57, who lives in Aguobu Umumba, was abducted on his way back from a meeting at a neignbouring community around 5.30am last Saturday, Punch reports.

N15,000 was allegedly paid to the operatives before the kidnappers contacted the family, demanding a ransom of N10m, according to reports.

The victim’s son, Ebube Nebo, said there was no progress on the rescue of his father since the abduction was reported to the police, adding that his family was devastated by the cops’ request.

He said:

"He was coming from his hometown in Obinofia Ndi Uno with my mother and her friend when he was kidnapped. They had gone for a community meeting. We reported the incident to the police.

They initially requested N20,000 for mobilisation, but we paid N15,000. They told us that they would go on a rescue mission and left in our presence. When there was no success, we went back to them. They are now demanding N50,000 to track the phone number of the kidnappers, who had called us to demand N10m ransom. We do not have the money.

They (kidnappers) even allowed him to speak with us on the phone and he said he was inside a thick bush. Just last month, he paid N500,000 ransom for the release of one of his junior pastors who was kidnapped.”

Mrs Charity Nebo, wife of the kidnappped clergyman, said her husband had turned around on sighting three gunmen from afar, but his escape mission was stalled by other members of the gang, who surfaced from the bush and warned him not to move.

She begged the captors to release her husband, adding that the family did not have money to pay the ransom.

Mr. Madoka Okoli a relative of the reverend, said the policemen collected N15,000. He added that the family was not ready to make any further payment and urged the police authorities to arrest the kidnappers.

The Enugu State police Public Relations Officer, Ebere Amaraizu, confirmed the abduction.

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