Kidnappers demand N30m ransom on mother of 3

When the incident occurred, the families of Mrs. Brown reported the matter to the police and the office of the local government chairman was also informed. Few days after the incident and no sign of progress to recover Mrs. Brown, the families petitioned the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hassan Bala. The petition, signed […]

When the incident occurred, the families of Mrs. Brown reported the matter to the police and the office of the local government chairman was also informed. Few days after the incident and no sign of progress to recover Mrs. Brown, the families petitioned the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hassan Bala.

The petition, signed by her son, Alabo Aroloye Brown on behalf of her three children, requested the police boss to investigate some suspects in the community. Aroloye said the suspects might have a link to their mother’s kidnap.

Aroloye alleged that, “some of these people are allegedly responsible for the diversion of funds meant for the development of the community. The funds had come from multinational companies and they take delight in diverting such funds into private accounts.”

Aroloye told Weekly Trust that  “these persons, two chiefs and a youth leader had threatened to deal with anyone who tries to ‘remove food from their mouth’ but we took it for a mere bluff. I am not insinuating that they are responsible. However, they were the first suspects invited by the police for questioning.”

Weekly Trust gathered that two weeks after Mrs. Brown disappeared, her kidnappers called the family and told them that she was in their custody but vowed not to release her until her son, Mr. Aroloye  submits himself for execution. According to him, “I volunteered to meet them if I know where to meet them so that mama will be released. We had the opportunity to speak with mama for about five minutes. She was not happy with her condition and was very ill. She told me to be very careful because of their threats but they would not tell her the sin I have committed”.

He said even though he reported the matter to the police and the government, nothing has been done to rescue their mother.

Weekly Trust gathered that 24 days after her kidnap, the kidnappers called the family and demanded N30m ransom and requested the family to contact them through a phone number (+2348083702184).

Aroyole alleged that the abductors have threatened to kill her if they fail to meet the demand.

Efforts to get the police spokesperson, Rita Inoma-Abbey on telephone to confirm the case was not successful. The spokesman of the governor, Blessing Wikina, was also not available for comments on the issue.

Independent statistics on kidnap in the entire region in the last three years, 2006-2009, shows that 219 expatriates were kidnapped while 132 Nigerians were abducted. In the same period, 84 people who were held lost their lives in the hands of their captors.