THISDAY Editor’s Father Kidnapped
Once again, kidnappers on Tuesday morning, struck at Emonu-Orogun in Ughelli North Local Government area of Delta State and took with them Pa Jacob Odivwri Edjesa, the father of Eddy Odivwri, former Editorial Page Editor, and now member, Editorial Board of THISDAY Newspaper.
Pa Odivwri, 82, was abducted from his bedroom in the wee hours of last Tuesday, and has since not been found. His abductors left an MTN number with which they could be reached. They had earlier demanded that MTN recharge cards worth N20,000 be sent to them, before negotiation of the terms of release would be discussed.
The recharge cards were later sent to the kidnappers on Wednesday, having been assured that Pa Odivwri would be allowed to speak to members of his family from their hide out, a promise they failed to keep.
The kidnappers were to call later Wednesday night at about 2am to ask for a ransom of N10 million, and thereafter switched off the only phone line with which they have maintained contact with the abductee’s family.
The police command at Agbarha-Otor, Ughelli, and even Asaba have been alerted, but no clue has been established about the identity or location of the abductors.
A statement from the family last night by Godspower Odivwri, called on the state government and the security operatives to “come to our aid and help us find our father as the trauma is terrible and unbearable to us.” He noted that “finding him will redeem the joy of Christmas not only to the Odivwri family, but indeed, the entire Orogun kingdom.”
A close observation showed that Pa Odivwri’s pillow was soaked with blood on the morning he was abducted, suggesting that his abductors had injured him before taking him away.
Nobody could tell how the abductors came into the unfenced compound, as neither a car, nor a motorcycle was seen or heard of in the compound. Pa Odivwri with ailing eyes was abducted without his glasses and his regular ophtamological drugs. It is not certain what fate may have befallen him.
