- He was released in the early hours of Saturday after the kidnappers collected an undisclosed amount as ransom
- The Anambra State Police spokesman, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed his release to journalists on Saturday
A native doctor, Chidozie Nwangwu, has revealed that the kidnappers who kidnapped him last week killed about 20 other victims when he was in their den.
The native doctor, popularly called Akwa Okuko Tiwaraki, was kidnapped at his Triple P Hotel in Oba, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State at about 11:30 pm on Sunday, July 23.
He was, however, released in the early hours of Saturday after the kidnappers collected an undisclosed amount as ransom.
Recounting what transpired, he said he gave in to the kidnappers because he wanted to avert bloodshed.
He said that two of his bodyguards had already been killed, hence his decision to surrender to the assailants to avoid more casualties.
The Anambra State Police spokesman, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed his release to journalists on Saturday.
However, Ikenga did not disclose the actual amount paid as ransom, stating that the abductors reached out to the native doctor’s colleagues and friends and some money was paid to them before he was freed.
He added, “Yes, he has been released this morning (Saturday). We are waiting to debrief him, with a view to getting his experience and clue of who the abductors are, so that we can go after them.
“I have the information that his abductors contacted friends and relatives and demanded some millions. I also have information that his abductors were demanding some specific amount but I have not gotten the accurate figure.
“According to speculations, they said it’s between N200m and N300m. We are making efforts to get in touch with him and get accurate information surrounding his abduction.”
A source also disclosed that Nwangwu’s friends pooled money together in order to pay his ransom.
The source said, “He was released very early this morning (Saturday). He is currently celebrating with his friends and well-wishers in his house in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area. His friends rallied round and raised the money for the abductors, but they demanded an additional N50m, which was also delivered to them before he was released.”
Recounting his experience in the hands of his abductors, Nwangwu said, “This whole thing is related to sit-at-home and they mentioned names of more people they will take, but it’s not something I can say now.
“They killed many in my presence. They killed up to 20 people before me. I did not take anyone’s money, they just came to kidnap and their target were people who have money. They wanted to kidnap as many as 50 people from my hotel that day, but I rather followed them.”