Encomium
-As bandits insist on N50 million ransom
Two weeks after the father of former Super Eagles defender, Chukelue Iloenyosi was kidnapped, he is yet to return home to his family. Pa James Iloenyosi, 83, was abducted on Monday, November 25, 2013, in Abagana, Njikoka local government area of Anambra State at around 9:30am when he was returning home from a morning mass held at St. Mark’s Catholic Church – and since then the assailants are still with the aged titled chief.
The police in Anambra also claimed they have no clue as to the whereabouts of the Akulumo 1 of Abagana. They claimed their men are still searching for the old man and his captors.
However, the abductor of Pa James Iloenyosi have demanded N50 million. After they reached out to the family, the former Super Eagles player was contacted and days later, the bandits have refused to shift ground as negotiation still continues. 12 days after, the family are still negotiating with the assailants to reduce the ransom placed on their patriarch, the development which has made Chikelue, former husband of star actress, Stephanie Okereke-Idahosa relocate to his home town to perfect the release of his aged father.
When contacted, the former Enugu Rangers defender lamented that the family is still in anguish. Concern about the safety and health of Pa Iloenyosi has risen. “We are very worried and disturbed about what maybe happening to our father now. We have been begging them but they have been threatening to do the worse should we fail to pay the N50 million. That money was just too much, where do we get it?”
By Saturday, December 7, 2013, Pa James Iloenyosi has spent 12 days in with his abductors as negotiation for his release continues.
Kidnapping of family members of high profile Nigerians has become the order of the day in this part of the world. Only recently, elder sister of Mr. Oronto Douglas, one of the aides President Goodluck Jonathan was kidnapped in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. She was released after a ransom was allegedly paid.
Years back, father of Chelsea midfielder, John Mikel Obi was also kidnapped. The elder Obi was rescued by a team of military personnel raiding a hideout in Kano, where he was brought back to Jos, Plateau State after one week. Before that, however, one of Super Eagles defenders, Joseph Yobo’s siblings was also whisked away while on his way back from a night club. He was, however released after few naira notes changed hands.
– FOLUSO SAMUEL
