Abductors of Turkish expatriates want N200m

No news on kidnapped Rivers Commissioner

Abductors of two Turkish expatriates in Akwa Ibom have demanded N200 million ransom to release them, but nothing seems to have been heard from the abductors of Mr. Gabriel Orji, Cross River State Commissioner for Water Resources.
The Turkish expatriates were abducted on April 10 from their hotel room in Eket Local Government Area of the state.
A source speaks
A security source disclosed in Eket that the abductors had been in touch with the BKS Construction Company in Onna Local Government Area, where the expatriates work.
He said that the abductors contacted the construction company and demanded N200 million as ransom to release them.
According to the source, “the abductors have demanded N200 million before the victims could be released. The company is negotiating with the abductors to secure the release of the victims.”
But the firm is offering N500,000, the source added.
The state’s Police Public Relations, ASP Chilly Ikechukwu, said the police were not aware of the ransom.
Rivers Commissioner
Meanwhile, nine days after the abduction of Mr. Orji, Cross River State Commissioner for Water Resources, by gunmen, no word has been heard from his abductors in the form of demand for ransom that could lead to his release.
A family source said the abductors of their breadwinner have not communicated with the family in any form since he was abducted on the morning of Sunday, April 8 at Effiowan Street in Calabar South, while entering a restaurant to eat.
The source said: “We have been wondering what could be wrong, why the kidnappers have not reached the family or his office since he was kidnapped over a week ago—it is quite disturbing.”

‘Pray for us’
The source appealed to the public to pray for their father that no harm befalls him because the prolonged silence from the abductors is disturbing the family members, friends and political colleagues, who have been keeping vigil in his house in Calabar.
Ms Irene Ugbo, the Cross River State Police Command spokesman, said nothing has been heard from the kidnappers and that the police are “working hard to effect his release.”