Abductors release daughters of slain Aba bizman

By ANAYO OKOLI

UMUAHIA—The daughters of Chief Iroeke Ukaku, the Aba based businessman, who were abducted on January 4, 2013, by unknown gunmen have been released.

The gunmen also killed their father after he was kidnapped along with his two daughters.

A source told Vanguard that an unspecified amount of money was paid as ransom before the girls were released.

The Enachioken of Abiriba community, Eze Kalu Kalu Ogbu, announced the release of the girls when he led a delegation of members of the community on a courtesy call on Governor Theodore Orji at Government House, Umuahia.

Vanguard also learnt  that an Abirirba indigene based in Germany, who came home for the Christmas celebrations, was kidnapped in the community a day before Ukaku was killed and his two daughters abducted.

It was gathered that despite the N4 million ransom allegedly paid for his release, his captors are yet to release him.

Meanwhile, the curfew imposed on the community is still on and soldiers and other security personnel have taken over the place, patrolling the entire area to ensure peace and order.

Speaking during the visit, the Enachioken commended Governor Orji for the peace in the area and also for restoring the provision of functional pipe-borne water and electricity in the community.

The traditional ruler, however, urged the government to ban the use of motorcycles in the community, saying it would help to reduce crime in the area.

The people requested the government to create additional electoral wards in the community.

In his response, Governor Orji promised to donate more patrol vehicles to the military to enhance their job of ensuring that the people are secured.