SAN FRANCISCO, October 29, (THEWILL) – In a dramatic move on Monday, the abducted mother of the Managing Director of Ben-segba Technical Services Limited, an oil service company, 79-year-old Mrs. Otiti Esegba, escaped from her kidnappers in Oviri-Olomu, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
She had been abducted from her home in the wee hours of the day but miraculously escaped as her abductors fell into a deep sleep.
The kidnappers, who were holding the woman pending the payment of a ransom by her Lagos -based son, were beaten hands down to the game by the old woman before the kidnappers could contact the family of their victim.
Her escape in Oviri-Olomu came on a day Dr. Richard Kofi from Okpare community who was earlier abducted also regained his freedom.
Recounting her experience, the septuagenarian said she was asleep when two heavily armed men broke into her house and abducted her after ransacking and stealing all her money, jewelries and wrappers.
“They dragged me into a waiting Okada, blind folded me while they held my throat; so I cannot cry out for help. They took me to a building I perceived to be uncompleted and said they want my son to pay them heavily before they would release me.
“Later that night, three of them left remaining two, saying they were going to kidnap one other person. I was there with the two remaining armed men but as God would have it, they fell asleep while watching over me. So I summoned encourage to sneak out of the place before I later got help from a fisherman in the area,” she said.
The paramount ruler of Olomu Kingdom, His Royal Masjesty Ovie R. L. Ogbon, The Ohworode of Olomu kingdom, confirmed the development even as he condemned the act, saying it is a taboo to take an old person for money.
“Olomu is a peaceful place, we are hardworking and industrious people, we don’t condone or harbour criminals. Criminal elements should not use Olomu for their evil operations,” he said.
He called on Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to reconsider the anti-kidnapping bill and assent to it to forestall the increasing cases of kidnapping in the state.
President General of Akperhe Community, Chief Felix Osiaje, said, “This is an insider job, no stranger can come into my community to do this devilish act, there is an insider involve in this thing. I am happy that she escaped but i am going to the village to find a solution to this act. ”
The Political Adviser to Deputy Governor of Delta State, Chief Joe Unuame, expressed shock over the incident, saying it is very strange that such thing can take place in Akperhe.
In his reaction, a son of the victim, Engr. Benard Esegba, said he was happy that her mother escaped and thanked all those who made effort to ensure her release.
owever, a security expert who spoke on condition of anonymity lamented that the Oviri, Egodo, Aloba and Kiagbodo axis of the state has become notorious haven for kidnappers despite the presence of local vigilante in the area .
He therefore called on the state government to ensure the establishment of a military formation to put an end to such nefarious activities of idle youths who want quick money even as the Christmas period draw near.
“Barr. Omonemu who was kidnapped has just been released after 20 days and another of our person is being kidnapped again? This is terrible, it does not portend well for us at all,” he said.
