After one week in their den, kidnappers of the Principal General of Madonna Secondary School Obo Ntanya, Mr Monday Ekoriko in Oruk Anam Local Government Area have demanded N50m ransom.
The abductors also threatened to kill their victim within 24 hours if the ransom is not given to them immediately.
Ekoriko, according to a family source, was abducted by unknown gunmen in his village at Udianga Enem, Etim Ekpo Local Government Area last Saturday, while visiting the community to attend a church service at the United Evangelical Church (UEC), which he personally built for the people.
Speaking with newsmen on Friday, the victim’s first son, Menyene, said the abductors have established contact with the family demanding N50m.
“They (the hoodlums) called me on phone and the number was hidden, saying we should hurriedly arrange N50 million before my father could be released.
“The discussion was so brief and sharp with a threat that some people have paid for my father to be killed, that only a higher amount would save him.
He furthered that his father’s Lexus SUV car, which the abductors used in carting him away, had been recovered as it was abandoned at the Ekparakwa axis of Oruk Anam Local Government Area while the father was still in captivity.
The Youth Leader of the community, Comrade Udeme John, described the incident as sad and enjoined the Police and other security agencies to intensify their efforts to rescue the teacher alive and unhurt.
Also, Akwa Ibom State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Odiko Macdon, has confirmed the recovery of the teacher’s car and assured that the command has begun a manhunt for the kidnappers.
“Operatives of the Command are closing in on the criminal elements.
“We can confirm the recovery of the car, the Police have nothing to do with the ransom, but I can assure you that very soon the hoodlums will be apprehended and brought to justice because the Commissioner of Police (CP) Olatoye Durosinmi, who is personally directing the operation, has zero tolerance for crimes,” he assured.