Kidnapper refuses to release five-year-old after N1m ransom

Pauline Onyibe, Yenagoa

 A distraught mother, Mrs Williams Koroye, yesterday said that her church member, who abducted her five-year-old daughter, has refused to release her even after collecting N1million ransom.

The child, Peace, was abducted last Thursday by the family church member, simply identified as Ahmed.

It was gathered that Peace was abducted at their residence, at Akemfa 1 Area of Yenagoa on August, 10, by Ahmed.

The frantic mother explained that the N1million ransom demand was eventually raised through efforts of well-meaning Nigerians.

According to Koroye, she had immediately gathered the money and paid Ahmed. She was however worried that Ahmed, even after the payment of the ransom, has refused to release Peace. Koroye said that it was now three days since the ransom was paid.

She said: “Ahmed borrowed my phone earlier in August 10, and bolted away with it, along with my daughter. He used the phone to call my family members, demanding payment of ransom.”

Koroye added: “Ahmed, who hails from Sokoto is our family friend, residing in our neighbourhood here at Akemfa 1. We trusted him and never thought he could do this to us. He is well known and familiar with the children. We have been downcast; we were so surprised when he used my phone line to contact us, asking for N1million.

“Sympathizers rallied and contributed the money, which we gave him. It’s now three days since the payment, and he still has not released Peace. He is a member of our church, The Church of God Mission. He is a new convert, who embraced Christ. The past one week has been very traumatic for us. We are praying for the safe return of Peace.”

The Bayelsa State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), a Superintendent of Police (SP), while confirming the incident, said that the command has commenced investigation and manhunt for the suspect.