Eze Samuel Ohiri, the immediate past Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, has rubbished social media report that he was rescued from the kidnappers’ den by operatives of Nigeria Police.
According to a report in Punch, Ohiri, who spent 12 days with his abductors disclosed that contrary to the reports, he paid an undisclosed ransom in two tranches before regaining his freedom.
Speaking at his palace, Eze Ohiri insisted that the police played no role in his release.
“I wouldn’t have opened up, but I have to act this time to tell the world the truth because of the viral social media report. I don’t like any organisation hiding under government cloak to speak lies, deceive the society and self-aggrandise itself,” the monarch said.
According to him, he had returned to his Obi Orodo community, Mbaitoli Local Government Area people, and Imo State to celebrate the 2023 Christmas and 2024 New Year with his family and people but ended up being kidnapped on January 6, 2024, by men he described as ‘merciless boys (men)’.
“It was when I was coming back around 8:30 am, after visiting one of my old boys, who is an indigene of my community, that I unfortunately met able-bodied men within my palace, who came out from their vehicle and whisked me into their vehicle after a horrible struggle but I thank God that nobody was shot, because they were with guns,” he recalled.
“I thank God again, as my cousin brother smartly introduced himself to them as my driver and was freed. They blindfolded me and zoomed off to an unknown location.
“They first kept me in an uncompleted building, before I was transferred to another place. I saw hell during the 12 days I spent with my abductors. At first, it looked as if they have some special scores to settle with traditional rulers and politicians, but luckily for me, their leader came to the camp and ordered them not to torture me, that I am a decent man.
“Negotiation started at that point between my people and the kidnappers. It eventually resulted in my regaining my freedom after first and second ransom was paid.
“While in the den, my food was water, two raps of gala and sometimes bread with water in the night. That is why I described them as being merciless.”
