Nigeria: Kidnappers Abduct Deputy CBN Governor’s Mother in Imo
Tony Edike – 23 February 2009
Enugu — THE aged mother of the Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Ernest Ebi was kidnapped Saturday night by unknown persons from heraged mother of the Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Ernest Ebiof Imo State.
Madam Ebi said to be over 70 years, was kidnapped by a six-man gang, who stormed her home at about 7 pm Saturday in two unmarked private cars, a Toyota Cressida and a Mazda.
Sources close to the family said the woman was being driven into her compound when the assailants who were trailing the vehicle from a distance forced their way into the premises and forced her into their vehicle, leaving her driver behind.
According to a source, although the kidnappers were armed with sophisticated weapons, they did not release any shot as they met no resistance.
“They dragged the woman into one of their cars and drove away unchallenged. Before taking her away, they made sure that she was with her GSM handset apparently to ensure easy communication with members of her family,” the source said.
It was learnt that when some members of her family and sympathisers called the phone few minutes later, the kidnappers answered and requested that the call be repeated later as they were too busy to take the call at the time.
The source said that when the kidnappers were reached on the same line yesterday, they demanded a huge sum of money as ransom, but the amount could not be immediately confirmed, even though it was learnt that the family was willing to negotiate the release of the woman without much delay.
“We are really worried by this ugly development because one can’t understand why these hoodlums should continue to terrorize innocent people in this area without any intervention by the law enforcement agencies. The woman is aged and you can imagine the trauma she would pass through as a result of this evil act. We just hope that they will not harm her,” the source added.
