Date Published: 05/18/09

Dear Sir,

The murdered daughter of Abak LGA Chairman: Matters arising

A ransom of N10-million was paid by the Chairman of the Abak Local Government for release of his daughter, a 23 year old Miss Aniefon Aniedi-Abasi of Akwa Ibom State College of Agriculture and thereafter she was still murdered by her captors. The Chairman of Essien Udim Local Government, also in Akwa Ibom, Hon Nse Ntuen was kidnapped and his Governor paid undisclosed amount of money to his captors and he gained his freedom.

In the two scenarios, there existed a common denominator: Ransom was paid. But the fact that the captors of the young lady killed her after receiving the ransom is a matter of concern.  And that is why one would appreciate the new Police Commissioner in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Rugbere who is barely four weeks old.. According to media reports, the CP has identified a former Caretaker Committee Chairman of the same Abak Local Govt Council as the suspect. In this particular incident, there seems existence of political undertone. But in the case of Essien Udim Local Government Chairman, it could be said that the boys were at work, trying to get part of their own share of the State’s cake.

If one may ask, from did the Chairman of the Local Government get the N10million which he paid with ease? And it is also the right of the citizens to ask Governor Akpabio how much he actually paid to secure the release of his constituency’s Local Government Chairman because the victim had said in the media that his captors initially demanded N0.5billion and thanked the Governor for facilitating his release.

Emem Idong, 99 RCC Road, Eket Akwa Ibom State.