Abductors of Turkish expatriates want N200m

UYO— Abductors of two Turkish expatriates in
Akwa Ibom have demanded N200 million
ransom to release them, but nothing seems to
have been heard from the abductors of Mr.
Gabriel Orji, Cross River State Commissioner
for Water Resources.
The Turkish expatriates were abducted on
April 10 from their hotel room in Eket Local
Government Area of the state.
A source speaks
A security source disclosed in Eket that the
abductors had been in touch with the BKS
Construction Company in Onna Local
Government Area, where the expatriates work.
He said that the abductors contacted the
construction company and demanded N200
million as ransom to release them.
According to the source, “the abductors have
demanded N200 million before the victims
could be released. The company is negotiating
with the abductors to secure the release of
the victims.”
But the firm is offering N500,000, the source
added.
The state’s Police Public Relations, ASP Chilly
Ikechukwu, said the police were not aware of
the ransom.
Rivers Commissioner
Meanwhile, nine days after the abduction of
Mr. Orji, Cross River State Commissioner for
Water Resources, by gunmen, no word has
been heard from his abductors in the form of
demand for ransom that could lead to his
release.
A family source told Vanguard, yesterday, that
the abductors of their breadwinner have not
communicated with the family in any form
since he was abducted on the morning of
Sunday, April 8 at Effiowan Street in Calabar
South, while entering a restaurant to eat.
The source said: “We have been wondering
what could be wrong, why the kidnappers have
not reached the family or his office since he
was kidnapped over a week ago—it is quite
disturbing.”
‘Pray for us’
The source appealed to the public to pray for
their father that no harm befalls him because
the prolonged silence from the abductors is
disturbing the family members, friends and
political colleagues, who have been keeping
vigil in his house in Calabar.
Ms Irene Ugbo, the Cross River State Police
Command spokesman, told Vanguard that
nothing has been heard from the kidnappers
and that the police are “working hard to effect
his release.”