By Jimitota Onoyume

PORT HARCOURT— About 24 hours after the abduction of Vanguard columnist, Donu Kogbara, the kidnappers are yet established contact with the family.

Dornu Kogbara

Sympathizers thronged her Nkpogu residence yesterday to pray with the family for her safe release. Some of the sympathizers advised against a media chat with the mother, who appeared to be an octogenarian.

They told the family that the kidnappers had not contacted the family at press time.

Meanwhile, outgoing Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Ezike, said police were already working on what he described as theories around the abduction, which he would not want to share with the public.

Ezike said the police were relying on preliminary investigation gathered when they visited the compound of the hostage.

While urging the public to assist with any useful information that could aide the police secure her release, the police boss also enjoined the media to demonstrate ‘controlled report’ on the issue, stressing that those behind the abduction were not normal human beings.

He said: “I was with the family the other day. We have taken preliminaries from the compound; we are working on a few theories. The details we may not make public.

“We call for support of all and sundry and we beg for reporting that will not be hurting to her. We call for controlled reporting. Because we are dealing with people who take drugs. They are human beings wearing animal garment. We are on top of the situation.”

Wike reacts

Governor Nyesom Wike described the abduction as very sad, expressing hope that she would be released in good health.

The governor, who spoke through his media aide, Mr Opunabo Nko-Tariah, said security in the state was almost crippled by the long closure of courts under the previous administration, noting that he had introduced measures to start redressing the problem.

He said with the new anti-kidnap law in place in the state, kidnappers would be forced to flee the state.

He said: “Government is sad over the abduction of Donu, but expressed hope that she will be released pronto and in good health. Government also believes that with the new law on kidnapping, very soon kidnappers will find the state too hot for them.”

APC laments

The All Progressive Congress, APC, in Rivers State in a statement by its state Publicity Secretary, Mr. Chris Finebone, said: “The All Progressives Congress, APC, Rivers State chapter, is in great pains over the abduction of renowned essayist, columnist, Ms Donu Kogbara last Sunday, in Port Harcourt by unknown gunmen.

“The several efforts made by the previous administration, which significantly brought criminality to its lowest ebb across the state, have now been reversed in just three months of the administration of Governor Nyesom Wike.”