After series of ransom demands by the abductors of former Vice Chancellor of University of Port Harcourt and Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission Chairman, Prof. Nimi Briggs, kidnapped two weeks ago, he has finally been released.
Briggs was abandoned at the notorious Ogbakiri junction in Emuoha Local Government area of Rivers State at about 11pm on Saturday.
He was said to have made his way to his aunt�s place from where he called the State Security Services (SSS) informing it of his release.
The SSS had in the course of its investigation arrested five persons, one of whom was identified as the elder brother of one of the kidnappers. Sources within the SSS told THISDAY that the kidnappers had been moving Briggs from one location to another so as to avoid being arrested.
�We had been tracking them using electronic device and when they realised that each time they called they were raided, they panicked and agreed to release him.
�At 7 pm yesterday (Saturday), we called them and they said they were going to release him. We asked them on how we are going to pay the ransom they demanded and they said they did not want any ransom again. We then asked them for the modalities for the release and where we will pick him, but they refused to give that and switched off.
�Apparently, they feared for their safety because of the dragnet of the security and we are still tracking them for eventual arrest and prosecution. Initially, the theory was that he was held by either Soboma George, Farrah or Ateke group, but we have confirmed that he was held by some boys who wanted to make money�, the source said.
The source further said: �We reliably gathered that immediately after dropping their victim, the abductors again contacted his wife�s phone and said they should go and pick him as he had been released.�
Attempts to get in touch with Briggs failed, as he did not pick his calls before eventually turning it off.
Reacting to the release, the state government through its Director of Press, Mr. Ogbonna Nwuke, expressed delight at the release.
He said he hoped that Briggs� kidnap would be the last in the state.
He urged other kidnappers to desist from the act and join hands with the government to build the state.
The Action Congress� gubernatorial candidate in the April polls, Prince Tonye Princewill, said the release of Briggs was a welcome development.
He said politicians should be held responsible for the spate of kidnappings in the country as they provide arms for the criminals during electioneering.
He regretted that the value system of the people had been affected negatively due to bad leadership and counselled the youths that there was no easy path to wealth than to work hard.
He said the educational system had collapsed due to neglect by past leaders adding that the ostentatious lifestyle of leaders who wanted to perpetuate themselves in power led to the problem.
He said arresting and prosecuting both sponsors of the crime and perpetrators was the only solution to the problem.
Confirming the release, spokesman of the Joint Task Force, Lt. Col. Musa Sagir, said the Professor had been released and was in good health.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Ireju Barasua, also confirmed the release.
The kidnappers initially requested N100,000 ransom for Briggs� release, but reduced it to N45,000 and later N10,000.
Dec242007