The medical doctor and his son, previously abducted at Otukpa, Benue State, along the Enugu-Makurdi Federal Road, have been freed following a ransom payment.
On Saturday, AzeeRe reported that a group of travelers, including a medical professional and his son, were reportedly abducted in Otukpa. Despite multiple military and police checkpoints in the area, the incident occurred on Thursday evening.
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Reports indicate that the abductors targeted occupants from approximately six vehicles heading to Enugu from Abuja and other northern regions. Despite the presence of multiple military and police checkpoints in the area, the criminals executed their sinister plan, seizing the victims and leaving a trail of anxiety in their wake.
The specific targeting of a medical professional adds an additional layer of distress to this already distressing incident. Medical practitioners play a crucial role in society, often dedicating their lives to the service of others. The fact that a healer and his son became victims of such a crime highlights the indiscriminate nature of these acts, sparing no one from their far-reaching consequences.
The details of the ordeal endured by the doctor and his son remain shrouded in darkness, as the perpetrators operated under the cover of night. Families and friends were left anxiously waiting for any information on the condition and whereabouts of their loved ones. The incident cast a somber mood over Otukpa and ignited discussions on the broader issue of security in the region.
In the face of desperation, the families of the abducted doctor and his son reportedly engaged in negotiations with the abductors. The somber reality of modern-day kidnappings often involves the payment of ransoms to secure the release of loved ones. As the community held its breath, hoping for a swift and safe resolution, news broke that a ransom had been paid, leading to the liberation of the doctor and his son.
Otukpa serves as a border community connecting Benue State with Amalla Egazi in Enugu State, southeast Nigeria.
According to sources, the abductors seized all occupants from approximately six vehicles heading to Enugu from Abuja and other northern regions.
Among the unfortunate travelers taken into the bush on Thursday were Dr. Emma Okolo, a medical practitioner from Niger State General Hospital, his son, and Ego Okozo, a woman from Umanaa Ndiagu in the Ezeagu local government area of Enugu.”
A family source, who confirmed their abduction to SaharaReporters, said that they were on their way home for Christmas and New Year festivities.
“They are our members of the Ezeagu community here in Minna, Niger State, and they were kidnapped between Otukpa and Amalla Egazi along Enugu-Makurdi Federal Road. They are from the Umanaa Ndiagu community,” the source said.
The family source, however, told Saharareporters on Monday that the doctor, his son, and the lady had been released.
Although he said that a ransom was paid to secure their release, he did not disclose the amount paid.
“We give God all the glory; the doctor, his son, and a lady travelling with him were all released on late Sunday evening after ransom was paid. Friends organized themselves, contributed money, and helped the family out with the ransom payment,” he said.
A family source had disclosed that the gunmen had contacted the doctor’s wife to demand a ransom of N50 million.
However, it is not clear if the other travellers kidnapped on the same day have been released as well.
The Benue State Police Command spokesperson, SP Anene Sewuese Catherine, confirmed the abduction of the travellers but did not give details.
