SaharaReporters had reported that the Anambra State Command of the Nigeria Police Force launched a manhunt for the kidnappers of Akwa Okuko Tiwaraki.
The police in Anambra State have dismissed a claim that a kidnapped popular native doctor, Chinedu Nwangwu, aka Akwa Okuko Tiwaraki, has regained his freedom after turning into a lion and scaring his abductors.
SaharaReporters had reported that the Anambra State Command of the Nigeria Police Force launched a manhunt for the kidnappers of Akwa Okuko Tiwaraki.
Tiwaraki, an indigene of Idemili North Local Government Area of the state was reportedly kidnapped in his hotel in Oba community, Triple O Hotel, on Sunday night.
During the attack, the gunmen killed two of Tiwaraki's aides.
The Command's spokesman, Toochukwu Ikenga, had told SaharaReporters on the telephone on Monday morning that the state police commissioner, CP Aderemi Adeoye had directed operatives of the command's tactical squad to go after the kidnappers.
According to him, the incident occurred around 11:30pm.
Ikenga said, “Yes the command received the kidnapped report and CP Aderemi Adeoye has ordered that operatives should go after his abductors and ensure his release."
Meanwhile, Tiwaraki is considered to be among the richest and most prominent witch doctors in Anambra.
A report on social media claimed that Nwangwu turned into a lion and scared his abductors, who allegedly abandoned him and fled, adding that he had since returned to his house and being welcomed by members of his community.
However, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Ikenga in a statement said the claim was not true, noting that security operatives were still working to ensure his release.
He explained that there was no information yet concerning the return of the native doctor.
“I don’t have such information before me,” he added.