PORT HARCOURT— HOSTAGE-takers have asked Dr. Godstime Ogbeoleka, Senior Lecturer with Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, IAUE, Rivers State, to cough out N15 million to buy freedom for his son, Thomas Ogbeoleka, who they kidnapped Wednesday afternoon.
Thomas, 30, was in his father’s residence at Ihuapa, Ahoada West Local Government Area, when the armed men struck and whisked him away on one of the motor bikes they rode on.
A relative said: “Four masked men stormed the compound with Okada in the afternoon.
“They walked straight to the father’s house asking for one of the victim’s elder brother in polite tones.
“When they could not find the prime target, they broke in and grabbed Thomas after robbing the house. They started shooting when they were leaving the scene and that was when neighbours got to know they were kidnappers.”
Another family source said: “The kidnappers have contacted us with hidden phone numbers demanding N15 million. There has been appeal for N1 million. They we were joking.”
Rivers State Police Public Relation officer, Ms. Angela Agabe, when contacted on the matter said she was in a briefing and needed time to establish a police position.
Source: Vanguard