Native Doctor’s Wife Freed After N40m Ransom Paid In Delta Kidnapping

The wife of a well-known native doctor, EkpaMalion, has been released after spending several days in the hands of suspected kidnappers in Umunede, Delta State.

According to Harrison Gwamnishu, director of the safety advocacy group SafeCity, the woman was abducted last week and held captive until a ransom of ₦40 million was reportedly paid to secure her freedom.

She was eventually set free on 31 May 2026, behind Delta State Polytechnic in Ogwashi-Uku, Mr Gwamnishu said in a Facebook post.

In a remarkable detail, the victim is said to have trekked from Umunede to Ogwashi-Uku after regaining her liberty.

Commenting on the incident, Mr Gwamnishu observed that the case underscores a grim reality: criminality does not respect status, influence, wealth, or even spiritual power.

While religious and traditional beliefs may offer comfort and resilience, he argued, they cannot replace practical security measures.

“Combating kidnapping requires intelligence gathering, surveillance, tracking capabilities, modern technology, effective policing, and strong cooperation between security agencies and local communities,” Mr Gwamnishu said.

He stressed that the fight against kidnappers can only be won by matching their operations with superior technology and co-ordinated security efforts.

As of the time of this report, police authorities in Delta State had not issued an official statement on the abduction or the alleged ransom payment.