Unknown gunmen on Monday evening have abducted a 70-year old retiree, Chief Johnson Odio, from his farm in Ushie community, Ndokwa East council area of Delta state.
Journalists reported that the Isoko chief, from Ozoro town, was abducted at about 6:00 pm on Monday, by a gang of four armed hoodlums while returning home from his farm with two of his female workers.
Family sources, who spoke under conditions of anonymity, told newsmen that the abductors released the two female farm employees of their victim when they told them that they knew nowhere in the area and were mere labourers.
However, there was panic in Chief Odio’s home Tuesday evening as there had been no contact from the abductors of their patriarch more than 24 hours after he was taken, considering his state of health and the fact that he had none of his regular medications with him at the time he was taken at gunpoint.
“He was kidnapped about 6 pm on Monday when coming out of his farm with two of his labour helps. His farm is in Ushie in Ndokwa East. They later released the two labourers once they pleaded and told them that they don’t know anywhere.
“They said the kidnappers were four in number and they were carrying guns.
We are scared because he is not strong healthwise and he has not taken any of his medications since he was kidnapped yesterday. So we don’t know his current state now. They are yet to contact us or demand anything.
“According to the women, three of the kidnappers covered their faces and one did not, we don’t know if they did that to conceal their identities, we don’t know if they are youths from our community or not”, one of his daughters told The Nation late Tuesday evening.
However, confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Delta state police command, Mr Andrew Aniamaka (DSP), told The Nation on Wednesday that the police was already taking all the right steps to get Chief Odio safely released.
He suggested that the abduction was suspected to have been carried out by community youths, whom he said would be apprehended soon and made to face the law.
“The DPO Ashaka has confirmed it: he’s a 70-year-old man and since the abductors have not called to ask for ransom, there are indications that the abduction is an inside job and the youths might be at the heart of it.
“From what has been gathered, he was abducted alongside two of his female workers, who were later released. The police have commenced works on the matter, to ensure he is released as soon as possible”, Aniamaka said.
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