Anxiety over abducted Rivers council boss

 

Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase

THERE is palpable anxiety in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State on the whereabouts of the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the council, Mr. Cassidy Ikegbidi.

Ikegbidi was abducted eight days ago by gunmen who wore camouflage to his residence in Yiboko community where they picked him up and took him to an unknown destination.

The council chairman’s abductors had stormed his residence at about 8am on the day the Independent National Electoral Commission fixed a rerun for the House of Assembly elections.

No contact has been established between the council chairman’s abductors and members of his family.

A source told Ikegbidi’s family members been praying for his release, even as they continued to expect call from the abductors on the next line of action.

“His abductors came that morning and took him away without any resistance. There was no security around him as at the time the kidnappers came. But our worry now is that nobody has called members of his family or even his friends to give condition for his release.

“The family members have been crying and there is fear that the situation may be worse than we thought. The kidnap may be more than the need for ransom,” the source said.

Reacting, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ahmad Mohammad, who had last week confirmed Ikegbidi’s abduction, said investigation was ongoing with a view to ensuring his release.

Mohammad told security operatives were currently on the lookout for where Ikegbidi was kept by his abductors, promising the family of the council chairman a breakthrough.

“The process of rescuing him (Ikegbidi) safely is still ongoing and I can assure his family that we anticipate a breakthrough,” he said.