Mr. Monday Ekoriko, the principal of Madonna Community Secondary School in Akwa Ibom state's Oruk Anam local government, was kidnapped and his captors have demanded N50 million as ransom.
During a worship session at United Evangelical Church, Ekoriko was abducted last Saturday at his rural home in Udianga Enem village in the state's Etim Ekpo local government area (UEC).
According to information obtained, the thugs who made contact with the principal's family threatened to kill their victim if their demand for N50 million was not fulfilled within the allotted time period.
Eldest son of the victim, Menyene, said “they (the hoodlums) called me on phone and the number was hidden, saying we should hurriedly arrange N50 million before my father could be released.
“The discussion was so brief and sharp with threat that some people have paid for my father to be killed, that only a higher amount would safe him”.
Menyene reported that the Lexus SUV that his father's captors had used to drive him away had been found abandoned along the Ekparakwa axis of the Oruk Anam LGA.
Comrade Udeme John, the community's youth leader, called the situation unfortunate and urged the police and other security organisations to step up their efforts in hopes of saving the instructor alive and uninjured.
The teacher's SUV was found, according to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Odiko Macdon, a Superintendent of Police (SP), who also assured that the criminal elements were being pursued by the Command's operatives.
“We can confirm the recovery of the car, the Police have nothing to do with ransom, but I can assure you that very soon the hoodlums will be apprehended and brought to justice because the Commissioner of Police (CP) Olatoye Durosinmi, who is personally directing the operation has zero tolerance for crimes”, MacDon assured.