The Umuahia correspondent of The Nation newspapers, Mr. Ugochukwu Eke has been kidnapped by unknown hoodlums in Aba, Abia state.
Eke was said to have fallen to the gunmen who seized him in front of the gate of his house behind Toengine Crescent off Opobo road, Ogbor Hil, Aba.
According to eyewitness accounts of the incident which happened around 7pm, the gunmen dragged Eke out of his car and forced him into their car and fled the area.
When our correspondent visited the area, a cross section of residents described Eke as an easygoing person who can’t hurt a fly wondering why anybody could plan evil for him. Some of them said they didn’t know he was a journalist.
At Eke’s house, his wife who is still shocked on the incident could not utter a word to our correspondent while sympathizers thronged the compound.
A family source told our correspondent that the kidnappers have contacted the family demanding a N20 million ransom and further warned his wife not to involve the security agencies if she wants her husband to be released unharmed, but this could not be confirmed as at press time.
While addressing a press conference in Umuahia, Chief Press Secretary to the Abia state governor, Mr. Charles Ajunwa and the supervising commissioner for Information, Chief Don Ubani confirmed the development and stated that the security agencies are on top of the situation.
