In a first admission to ransom payment, HRH Eze Francis Amadi, the paramount ruler of Iriebe Oro Esara, Evo Kingdom of Rivers state, whose three-year old, Samuel Amadi, was kidnapped last month, by militants has revealed he paid a ransom of N3 million naira before the toddler was released to him.
At a press conference organised by the Niger Delta Peace Movement (NDPM) yesterday, Amadi disclosed that after his son was taken, the militants initially demanded a ransom of N50 million. Ge said the ransom came down to N5 million, then later jerked it up to N8million and threatened to kill the boy if the ransom was not paid. They later agreed to a sum of N3million for the young Amadi to be released.
Since the kidnap for ransome scenario started blossoming in the region, authorities and oil companies concerned have constantly denied paying any money to anybody before securing release of abductees.
The admission by the traditional ruler contradicts an earlier claim that no ransom was paid to anyone to secure the release of the boy. He had stated then that he only worked closely with the State Security Service (SSS) and the boy was released because of the heat on the militants.
However, the tune of the royal father at the press conference was different when he said he did not negotiate with the kidnappers but only told them to keep the boy (as long as he is being fed) because he, the father would not pay any ransom. He said it was the pressure put on him by the boy’s mother to “do something” that made him call his bankers and the sum of three million exchanged hands.
After the payment, the boy was dropped off at Choba area by Willbros from where Amadi sent someone to bring him back to his relieved mother. The toddler was, according to the monarch, in good condition, having been “well treated” by his abductors.
Apparently, the royal father had gotten over the trauma of the whole saga because he could not confirm to THISDAY the exact dates of the incident. He only remembered it “was sometime in mid- July”. He told newsmen that the boy is doing well in spite of the whole incident.
He decried the hostage taking situation in the Niger Delta, saying the impact can only be felt when a person has been directly affected. To this end, he is the Vice president of the NDPM, having been motivated by the kidnap of his son.
The three-year old prince was taken hostage on July 12 when he was being driven to school in his father�s Mercedes Benz Jeep, but was released the second day. The father had gotten his driver and one Akabueze arrested because they were suspected to be accomplices in the whole drama. The two have since been released.
Young Amadi who was snatched exactly a week after three-year-old Margaret Hill was kidnapped in similar circumstances in Port Harcourt became the fourth child to be kidnapped by militants in the Niger Delta but the third Nigerian to be so captured by gunmen in Rivers State capital city.
Michael Stewart was the first, Margret Hill, second and then Samuel Amadi, all minors who have had a taste of the kidnap experience.
Michael Stewart is the son of a female House of Assembly member; Margaret Hill, a daughter of a Briton and Samuel, a prince.
Mr Hill, the father of Margret died recently apparently from the shock of the experience of his toddler’s kidnap
What makes their abduction unique is that the three took place as the children were being taken to their repective schools.
Another factor is that their cases have only sharpened a sudden developing trend of child abduction in the volatile Niger Delta Region.
It could be recalled that Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. (Mrs) Patricia Olubunmi Etteh has decried the spate of kidnapping children in the guise of fighting for justice and equity in the oil rich Niger Delta region. Etteh who was deeply touched and saddened over the kidnapping of Samuel Amadi said in a statement, that the worrisome dimension, which the incessant kidnapping has assumed, is condemnable.
“The agitation for justice and equity is acceptable in a democratic clime, but it should be done where necessary to favour the Nigerian child and their future, not endangering them. Two wrongs cannot make a right, kidnapping children and traumatising them cannot resolve Niger Delta issues and challenges. Rather it would trivialise the serious issues of the Niger Delta question and challenges”, she said.
She reminded the people that the march to resolving the Niger Delta question is on and would of course be given priority attention by the National Assembly.
Foreign oil workers, are, however, not resting on their oars to watch their families become easy prey for kidnappers. Many oil firms have taken measures to protect their workers and still keep their production targets intact.
One of the measures is the total dependence on security agents for internal routine movements to production locations and even local activities. Unlike in the days past when oil workers were free to go about their individual activities, they are now compelled to go in groups guarded by heavily armed riot policemen and in some cases, soldiers.
A top official of one of the oil companies however said the extra security measures is like a cross that they now have to bear because they cannot afford to leave their staff and family members unprotected, at least for now.
Although the source said such measures were a closely guarded secret, these days, he added, their personnel and family members move around with armed policemen. But such policemen are thoroughly screened to avoid a situation where they would give information to militants.
Aug192007