Sam Ewang’s wife kidnap saga today assumed a political dimension with the former military administrator of Ogun and Rivers States saying his wife was seized because of his determination to challenge Governor Godswill Akpabio in the 2011 governorship election.
Sam Ewang’s wife kidnap saga today assumed a political dimension with the former military administrator of Ogun and Rivers States saying his wife was seized because of his determination to challenge Governor Godswill Akpabio in the 2011 governorship election.
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In a statement he personally sent to Saharareporters, Ewang said he met Akpabio last Wednesday over his wife’s ordeal but that instead of addressing the real issue; the Akwa Ibom state governor went political.
He said the kidnappers had earlier demanded that his wife would not be released unless he paid N300million ransom and withdraw from the governorship race.
Ewang is a chieftain of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and plans to run for governor on the platform of that party.
“It is instructive that my wife was kidnapped barely three days after I declared my intention to contest, in 2011, for the position of Governor of Akwa Ibom State under ANPP; not even the PDP,” said the retired military officer.
A source close to the Ewang’s family had told Saharareporters on Friday that Mrs. Ewang was released after N25million was sent to the kidnappers.
Our source, who explained that he had not been able to reach Air Commodore Ewang on the telephone since Friday, did not know that the kidnappers reneged on their promise to release the woman after collecting the money sent to them.
Ewang explained in his statement that after the kidnappers received the ransom sent to them, they took his personal assistant and driver into custody, insisting that they won’t release his wife unless N100 million is paid.
The driver was however released to take the message to Ewang although the kidnappers burned his car.
Find the text of Sam Ewang’s statement below.
A PLEA FOR RELEASE OF MY WIFE IN KIDNAPPERS’ DEN
“It is my wish to inform the general public that new dimension has been introduced by the kidnappers of my wife who remained in captivity for more than 12 days now.
“Last Wednesday, I was with the Governor Godswill Akpabio to request the release of my wife and he tried to bring up political issues which I told him that I was not there for; but that all I wanted from him, as the chief security officer of Akwa Ibom State, was to ensure that my wife regains her freedom from the hands of her captors. He promised that within 24 to 48 hours my wish would be accomplished as he would ensure that security agencies under his command make that possible.
“The kidnappers’ link person had earlier communicated with me demanding N300million ransom which I referred to some other persons to continue with the negotiation. After the expiration of Governor Akpabio’s promise with no result, we continued with the kidnapper’s link man and at the end a negotiated amount of N25million was arrived at.
“Two days ago, one of my drivers and a PA were sent to meet with the kidnappers with the sum but the two persons were (after collection of the sum by the kidnappers) seized together with the the vehicle they went with. My wife remains in captivity.
“Yesterday, my driver appeared without my PA, my wife and the car. He reported that the car was burnt by the kidnappers. The driver together with the message received from the kidnappers confirmed that the kidnappers would want a further N100million before my wife could be released as, according to them (kidnappers) the instruction for ‘above’ indicated that my wife should not be released for now.
“It is on record that I was the once the military governor of Ogun State and later that of Rivers State that midwife the democratic governance. It is instructive that my wife was kidnapped barely three days after I declared my intention to contest, in 2011, for the position of Governor of Akwa Ibom State under ANPP; not even the PDP. Among the earlier demands of my wife’s captors was that I must withdraw from the governorship contest.
“This is a further appeal to all concerned (President Jonathan, Governor Akpabio, IGP Ringim, AkCP Rugbere) to please ensure that my wife and my PA are set free.”
H.E. AIR COMMODORE SAM EWANG (Retired)
(Former Military Governor of Ogun and Rivers State)
UYO, Akwa Ibom State. Tel: 08032583666
Dated: Sunday, October 17, 2010
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