Akwa-Ibom monarch freed after paying N50m ransom — Police

HRM Ogwong Okon A. Abang, the paramount ruler of the Mbo Local Government Area (LGA) in Akwa Ibom state, was kidnapped on the evening of May 18 in his Ebughu Palace. He was freed following the payment of an alleged N50 million ransom.

The monarch’s release was confirmed by ASP Timfon John, Police Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom Command.

John didn’t elaborate on whether money was exchanged; he just stated, “Yes, it’s true,” that he had been released.

On the other hand, a community leader revealed to Opinion Nigeria—under the condition of anonymity—that the king was freed early on Monday morning and that his captors had paid N50 million for his release.

“The community is bitter, especially from realisation that some youths from within were among the kidnappers. We have vowed to get to the bottom of this and bring them to book.

“This whole thing is induced by sheer greed and then envy by some mischievous community stakeholders over the exalted stool the Paramount Rulers occupies. Long may he reign.

“The monarch has been taken to an hospital for proper medicare and his wife who was shot while he was being abducted is recuperating fast and would be discharged soon.”

The abductors, it would be recalled, struck at the palace at about 9pm fateful 18 May with roaring guns as they dragged the monarch away, leaving his wife, Obonganwan Okon Abang, shot on the leg.

The development had heightened concerns over the worsening insecurity in the state, especially killing and kidnapping of important personalities, with Oro ethnic bloc of the state most vulnerable due to its collapsed road network and porosity of its waterways.