I paid ransom in two tranches to kidnappers, I wasn’t rescued – Imo monarch

The immediate past Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Majesty, Eze Samuel Ohiri, who was recently abducted by unknown gunmen, has vehemently countered social media report, crediting his freedom from the kidnappers’ den to the tactical intervention of the Nigerian Police Force operatives.

He said he paid ransom (undisclosed) in two instalments, after spending 12 days in the kidnappers’ den. He also said that there was no attempt made by the police while he was under abduction.

In his speech at his palace, Eze Ohiri maintained that the police did not play any part in the drama leading to his regaining freedom.

He said, “I wouldn’t have opened up, but I have to act this time to tell the world the truth because of the viral social media report. I don’t like any organization hiding under government cloak to speak lies, deceive the society and self-aggrandize itself.”

Narrating his ordeal, Eze Ohiri said that he came back to celebrate the 2023 Christmas and 2024 New Year with his family, people of Obi Orodo community, Mbaitoli Local Government Area people, and Imo State at large, only for him to wake up at early hours of that fateful day, on January 6, 2024, to enter into the hands of “what I can describe as “merciless boys (men).”

He said, “It was when I was coming back around 8:30 am, after visiting one of my old boys, who is an indigene of my community, that I unfortunately met able-bodied men within my palace, who came out from their vehicle and whisked me into their vehicle after a horrible struggle. I was forced in, but I thank God that nobody was shot, because they were with guns. I thank God again, as my cousin brother smartly introduced himself to them as my driver and was freed. They blindfolded me and zoomed off to an unknown location.

“They first kept me in an uncompleted building, before I was transferred to another place. I saw hell during the 12 days I spent with my abductors. At first, it looked as if they have some special scores to settle with traditional rulers and politicians, but luckily for me, their leader came to the camp and ordered them not to torture me, that I am a decent man.

“Negotiation started at that point between my people and the kidnappers. It eventually resulted to my regaining my freedom after first and second ransom was paid.”

He said that they took him with another victim to Eziama Obiato, a community in Mbaitoli council area, along Onitsha-Owerri express way at night. It was from there he found his way back to Owerri at popular Control Post junction, where his people came and took him back to the palace.

He added, “While in the den, my food was water, two raps of gala and sometimes bread with water in the night. That is why I described them as being merciless.”