Kidnappers of retired police officer demand N25m ransom

Jethro Ibileke/Benin

Gunmen who abducted Chief James Omafuaire, his wife and customer at his Ikpeshi Quarry site in Akoko-Edo local government area of Edo State, have reportedly demanded N25 million from his relatives for his release.

Omafuaire, an Olomu Chief who hails from Akperhe-Olomu, in Ughelli-South Area of Delta State, is an elder brother of Vanguard Newspaper senior photojournalist, Akpokona Omafuaire, in Warri, Delta State.

The retired Supritendent of Police and former Divisional Police Officer, Igarra, was supervising his workers at his quarry site in Ikpeshi, near Auchi when the gun-weilding men alleged to be Fulani abducted him, his wife, Victoria and an unidentified customer.

The wife was however released after allegedly collecting N200,000 from the abducted customer.

It was gathered that the kidnappers called Charles Omafuaire, son of the octogenarian victim, late Monday night, demanding N25 million ransom to release the octogenarian.

Christy Omafuaire Atie, who confirm the ransom demand to journalists, said that the kidnap has caused panic in the family.

While appealing to the herdsmen to lower the demand, the distraught Christy appealed to the police authority to swing into action to rescue her father.