AFTER eight days in captivity, father of the Deputy Speaker in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Charles Nwile, has been released.
The 70-year-old, Chief Lawrence Nwile, was released following the arrest of a suspect, Johnbull Robinson, last Friday and a 48-hour ultimatum given to the kidnappers to free the lawmaker’s father or risk dire consequences.
The spokesperson of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Major Sagir Musa told The Guardian that the septuagenarian was abandoned about 9: 45 pm on Saturday at the Kaa Bridge in Khana Local Council Area of Rivers State, from where security agencies picked him.
Musa explained that Robinson drove the bus that the other kidnappers now at large used to kidnap Pa Nwile. Upon the arrest of Nwile, a 48-hour warning was given to the kidnappers to release the Deputy Speaker’s father or risk military bombardment of their camp.
Frightened by the JTF warning, the kidnappers, according to Musa, informed the Deputy Speaker by phone to go to Kaa bridge and pick up his father who had been in their custody for the past eight days. The lawmaker later contacted the State Security Services (SSS).
He explained that following the telephone call, security agencies led by the Deputy Speaker went to the bridge and rescued Chief Nwile, who, he said, looked physically and mentally sound. The freed man was later driven to the SSS office in Port Harcourt and formally released to anxious members of his family.
Musa said: “The arrest of Johnbull Robinson by the JTF must have sent a serious warning to his cohorts that it would not take long before the security agencies apprehended them as well. We warned them that their location would be attacked. They unconditionally released and dumped the old man at Kaa Bridge.”
The kidnappers had on October 5, called the Deputy Speaker to demand a ransom of N70 million. The amount was later reduced to N25 million and then to N2 million by last Thursday.
The Guardian learnt that the SSS had threatened to arrest a member of the Nwile family who was ready to offer ransom to the kidnappers.
Musa revealed to The Guardian that Robinson would soon be arraigned in court. He said the suspect had given useful information to security agents that would expedite action on the apprehension of other members of the gang who are currently on the run.
He admonished youths in the Niger Delta who are involved in kidnapping to reconsider their criminal deeds. Musa noted that rather than engaging in illegal acts like abductions, the youths should use their productive years to build a better future for themselves and the society at large.