| In what could be the first of its kind since the menace of kidnapping in Nigeria, a 23-year-old university undergraduate has been killed two weeks after her kidnap and despite the fact that the father had reportedly paid a N10 million ransom for her freedom. Sources told THISDAY that Miss Aniefon Anidi-Abasi, daughter of Abak Council Chairman of Akwa Ibom State, Anidi Abasi, was killed last Tuesday and the dead body dumped in the morning at Ikot Okoro road near the gates of the State College of Agriculture, Obio Akpa in Oruk-Anam Local Government Area. Within the period the girl, also a student of the State College of Agriculture, was held captive by her abductors, the father had opened discussion with the kidnappers. They were said to have demanded N10 million as ransom. Out of the N10 million demanded by the hoodlums, sources said the council boss rushed to pay N5 million for the life of her first daughter to be spared, but the militants insisted that the additional N5 million should be paid, a demand which was also met. Although the cause for the killing of the girl could not be ascertained, it was believed that the girl might have recognised some of the people involved in the act. Other sources said the cruel killing of the girl might not be unconnected with the volatile political situation of the local government where some stakeholders were not comfortable with the style of administration of the council boss. The State Police Command described the killing as “very shocking and pathetic”, asking what a 23-year-old girl could have done to attract such punishment from the hand of the kidnappers. The new Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Walter Joseph Rugbere, expressed shock at the dastardly act, saying his mission in the state is to flush out hoodlums, kidnappers, armed robbers and other criminals. Rugbere, who assumed duties in the state last week, said he would use the next few weeks to study the geography and people of the state before swinging into full action with visits to stakeholders in the state. Also speaking on the issue, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Mr. Oki, expressed optimism that before the end of work yesterday, the Command would record a breakthrough in its investigations and those involved would be arrested. The Police, he said, had spread their drag net across the state based on the theories surrounding the girl’s death, adding they would not leave any stone unturned in tracking those behind the killing. He said: “We are working on three theories which for security reasons I will not like to disclose. We have spread our dragnet everywhere and before the end of today (yesterday) we will make some arrests.” |
Apr302009