Kidnappers release Edo APC chairman

FOUR days after he was kidnapped by gun-toting hoodlums who whisked him to a secret location, the chairman of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, Edo state, of the All Progressives Party (APC), Deacon Henry Ashofor has been released by his abductors.

Ashofor was released by his abductors on Tuesday evening after an undisclosed sum was paid by political associates and family who taxed themselves to raise the money.

The kidnappers, who abducted the chairman and two of his aides as he journeyed to Ibillio after attending a party at the council headquarters of Igarra last Saturday, had initially demanded a ransom of N20 million before they let go of their prisoners.

Few hours before he was released, the principal of Okpameri Grammar School, Ibillo, Mr Raphael Olorunda narrowly escaped from the snare of the hoodlums ar the same spot where Ashofor and his aide were picked.

The headteacher reportedly escaped with serious head injuries and abandoned his car.

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Speaking on his mobile phone, the Edo State Police spokesman, Mr Chidi Nwanbuzor initially promised to call back but subsequent calls were unanswered.

Meanwhile, as a way of checking the alarming rate of kidnapping in the area, the chairman of the local government area, Mr Don Umoru has instructed the Head of Department works/environment to start palliative work on the Igarra/Ibillo federal road that has become a safe haven for kidnappers and armed robbers.

Umoru said it is becoming worrisome “with almost the daily activities of kidnappers/armed robbers on that road which is nearly not safe for Akoko Edo residents to go about their daily activities. Two persons were abducted in a space of one week and one of the victims happened to be our party chairman Hon. Ashofor Henry Dare. Another person also escaped been kidnapped yesterday at the same spot.”