Kidnapped Cross River Commissioner Freed

DAVID ODEY

Cross River State Commissioner for Water Resources, Mr Gabriel Odu Oji, has regained his freedom a month after he was kidnapped.

The State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Ms Irene Ugbo, confirmed Oji’s freedom Tuesday in Calabar.

Oji’s abductors were said to have moved him from one location to another to prevent him from being rescued while the kidnappers were negotiating for ransom.

The kidnappers allegedly demanded for N100 million as ransom which they allegedly scaled down to N30 million.

Anxiety mounted over the fate of Oji while his ordeal lasted as it was taking too long to rescue him.

It was not clear if any ransom was eventually paid. The Police image maker, Ugbo, insisted no ransom was paid before the commissioner regained his freedom.

Oji, who hails from Etung Local Government Area of Cross River State, was seized by unidentified gunmen a month ago when he went to Calabar South, an area notorious for crimes and crawling with anti-social elements.

Funsho Arogundade

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