Akatakpo,
who works with Wazobia FM, was kidnapped from his residence in
Rumuekini, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Eye
witness accounts say that the kidnappers, who were about 12 in number, shot the
radio presenter in the leg before taking him away in his private Mitsubishi
Endeavor Sport Utillity Vehicle with registration number LSD 871 CM at about 3
am.
Although
no contact was established between the kidnappers and their victim’s family,
they left a message for Akatakpo’s pregnant wife instructing her to pay them a
ransom of N10m or risk having him killed.
Investigation
by our correspondent showed that the kidnappers also stole wristwatches and
other personal belongings from their victim’s home before abducting him.
A
source close to the family told e-Punch that the operation lasted for
one hour in Akatakpo’s residence, which is situated within a developing area in
Obio/Akpor LGA.
The
source said though the victim did not resist the kidnappers, one of them went
on to shoot him in the leg.
E-Punch gathered that Akatakpo, whose
whereabouts is still unknown, and his family had moved into the house a few
months before the incident. Describing the incident, Mrs. Candy Akatakpo said,
“Our house is located in a developing area and that was why the kidnappers
operated for about one hour without any challenge”
However,
she appealed to her husband’s abductors to release him unconditionally.
Also,
a statement by the management of Steam and Globe Broadcasting and
Communications Limited, owners of Cool FM, Wazobia FM and Nigeria
Info condemned the incident.
The
statement, signed by the organisation’s Head of Stations, Aduratomi
Bolade, reads, “Akas Baba was beaten and shot in the leg by the
kidnappers in the presence of his children and wife, despite cooperating with
them.
“He
was thereafter whisked away in his Mitsubishi Endeavor SUV with Registration
Number LSD 871 CM. This very violent act still leaves Akas Baba’s family in
great trauma.”
The
Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin, who visited the victim’s
residence, promised Akatakpo’s family that the police would do everything
within its power to ensure the unconditional and early release of the ace
presenter.
“We
sympathise with you at this difficult moment. We feel your pain and anguish.
Madam, I promise you that my men will do everything humanly possible to make
sure that your husband is returned to you unharmed within the shortest time
possible,” Ogunsakin said.
Meanwhile,
the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the State Police Command has invited some
relatives and neighbours of the victim for questioning.
No comments:
Post a Comment