Kidnappers Of Akwa Ibom School Principal Demand N50m Ransom

After about one week in captivity, the abductors of Mr. Monday Ekoriko, the Principal-General (PG) of Madonna Community Secondary School (MCSS) in Oruk Anam local government area of Akwa Ibom State, have established contact with the family, demanding for N50million ransom or the victim risks being killed.

Ekoriko, according to a family source, was seized by unknown gunmen at his country home of Udianga Enem village in Etim Ekpo LGA last Saturday while visiting to attend a church service at the United Evangelical Church (UEC), which he personally built in the community.

Speaking with our correspondent on Friday, his eldest son, Menyene, who related the development, said: “they (the hoodlums) called me on phone and the number was hidden, saying we should hurriedly arrange N50million before my father could be released.

“The discussion was so brief and sharp with threat that some people have paid for my father to be killed, that only a higher amount would save him.”

Menyene added that his father’s Lexus SUV the kidnappers used in whisking him away had been recovered where it was abandoned at the Ekparakwa axis of Oruk Anam LGA.

Meanwhile, the Youth Leader of the community, Comrade Udeme John, described the incident as a sad one and enjoined the Police and other security agencies to intensify their efforts with a view to rescue the Principal alive and unhurt.

The Akwa Ibom State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Odiko Macdon, confirmed the recovery of the victim’s SUV, assuring that “operatives of the Command are closing in on the criminal elements.

“We can confirm the recovery of the car, the Police have nothing to do with ransom, but I can assure you that very soon the hoodlums will be apprehended and brought to justice because the Commissioner of Police (CP) Olatoye Durosinmi, who is personally directing the operation has zero tolerance for crimes.”