Police launches action as widow dies in kidnappers’ den
The Police in Enugu State say they have launched a manhunt for some suspected kidnappers who claimed to have killed a widow under their captivity.
Our correspondent gathered that the 60-year-old widow, Mrs Anthonia Chinelo Ike, from Mgbowo in Awgu Local Government Area Enugu State, was abducted from her house on 21st September 2023 at about 7 pm.
The incident happened a few weeks after her daughter, Mrs. Obioma Linda Ike was also abducted by gunmen suspected to be members of the same gang on August 15, 2023.
The police confirmed that Obioma was freed on August 28, 2023, after an undisclosed ransom was paid by the members of her family.
A police source confided in our correspondent that Obioma’s brother, Mr Stanley UgochukwuIke, resident in Germany was contacted by the kidnappers and he raised the money and it was delivered to the kidnappers through one of his friends.
The source, however, disclosed that, “trouble started when Obioma reported the matter to the police after she was released by the kidnappers.
“When the kidnappers got wind that she reported the abduction to the police, they sent further threats to her. This prompted her to immediately relocate to Germany.
“But that was not the end as the hoodlums stormed their house on 21st of September 2023 and kidnapped her aged mother, Mrs Anthonia Chinelo Ike, a widow, who is a 60 year old, retired civil servant.
“They took her when they could not find Obioma; the woman in question was very sick.
“Sadly, they called her son Mr Stanley Ugochukwu Ike on 13th October 2023 to inform him that their mother died on 8th October 2023 in their custody and they have already buried her.”
The Police Command, while confirming the report, said it had launched a manhunt for the hoodlums.
“The Enugu State Police Command is investigating the case of alleged killing of a 60-year-old woman, Mrs Anthonia Chinelo Ike, by suspected kidnappers.
“Anybody with useful information should avail the command,” it said in its latest bulletin.
