By Rita Enemuru, Reporting
After eight harrowing days, kidnappers have released the chairman of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Delta State chapter, Deacon Monday Ifoghere and his wife from their captivity.
The couple was released on Saturday night, but another source said they were released at about 5:30a.m Sunday after the couple’s associates and family had allegedly coughed up N12 million as ransom to their abductors.
One of the sources, who declined being identified, disclosed this on Sunday morning, stating simply, “they have been released”.
It will be recalled that the couple was abducted around 7:00p.m last Sunday, eight days ago, while returning to their residence at Eku, Ethiope East Local Government Area of the state.
Ifoghere is also the executive director of Patmon Schools, Eku.
The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Bright Edafe, could not be reached for confirmation.
But sources said days after they were whisked away, the kidnappers had demanded N200 million which they finally later reduced to N12 million after much haggling.
The sum was reportedly raised by family members, private school owners and concerned Deltans to rescue the couple from the marauders who had earlier threatened to kill them if they failed to meet their demand.
The victims were said to be receiving medical attention at a hospital.
National Vice chairman of NAPPS (South South), Dr. Ochuko Akpeme, confirmed the release, thanking God and his colleagues for standing by the victims.
Stonix News reports that the Eku-Abraka axis and entire Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State has gained much notoriety given the instances of kidnaping ongoing in the area.
About two weeks ago, nine persons, including four final year students of the Delta State University (DELSU), were kidnapped by gunmen in the axis but only breathed the air of freedom after the needful was done.
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