Abductors Of INEC Official Allegedly Reduces Ransom To N500,000

Akwa Ibom CP, Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi (Photo credit: Punchng.com)

Abductors Had Earlier Requested For #10m

Mr Otobong Ukpong, an official of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Akwa Ibom State, who was reported abducted, has seen his abductors reduce the demanded ransom from his family to N500,000.

Ukpong was reported kidnapped a week ago at the Uruk Ata 2 end of the Ekparakwa-Azumini highway, while going to work in the Ukanafun Local Government Area office of the commission.

A senior member of Ukpong’s family, who spoke on the ground of anomnity, said the abductors, who had earlier demanded N10m ransom for the release of the INEC official, contacted them again on Wednesday and asked them to pay N500,000 instead.

Another member of the family, who spoke said,

“In the last discussion we had with them through my brother’s (Otobong’s) phone, the abductors reduced the initial ransom of N10m to N500,000, but we are still negotiating with them to further reduce the ransom to what we can afford.”

Mr Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi, the state Commissioner of Police, said a combined security team, comprising the police, navy, army and the Department of State Services, had been sent to the area to rescue the suspect.

“However, difficult terrain and lack of equipment are hampering operatives from achieving their mandate of arresting the hoodlums,” he added.

Mr Odiko Ogbeche, the state Police Public Relations Officer, said efforts had been intensified by security agencies to dislodge the hoodlums from the affected areas.

He said, “Many suspects have been arrested in connection with the abduction and the suspects are helping the police in their investigation.”