Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
The kidnappers of Madam Mabel Dagomie Abiante, who was kidnapped at Ngo Town, Andoni local government, Rivers State by heavily-armed gunmen, have demanded N50Million ransom.
The woman, who was abducted on 28 November, is the mother of a member of the House of Representatives, Awaji-Inombek Dagomie Abiante, who represents Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro constituency
Family members said Madam Abiante’s health must be deteriorating as she was kidnapped just some days after she had a surgery.
The kidnappers are threatening to kill the woman. Madam Abiante was kidnapped on Saturday, November 28, 2015 at about 8.30pm from her residence, at Ngo town headquarters of Andoni local Government area of Rivers state. The kidnappers, who shot their way to their victim’s house, made their first contact with the family on Friday December 4, 2015, demanding N50m.
In a statement in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, the family said it suspected the matriarch may have been a victim of contract killing, wondering why the abductors are threatening to kill her, if the ransom was not paid in full.
“We are appealing to the kidnappers of mama to please let her go. We learnt she is too ill in their hands to even talk. When mama’s abductors gave us the chance to speak with her on Tuesday, mama could hardly be heard”, the family said
“Mama complained of suffering pains in her heart area. Mama told us that she fell and hit her chest on the boat when the kidnappers were dragging her into their get-away boat on the day she was kidnapped.
“We are appealing to the kidnappers to release our mother to enable us offer her immediate medical treatment.
“We are also appealing to men of goodwill to join us to save our mother who has contributed immensely to the development of humanity.”