http://saharareporters.com/news-page/exxonmobil-principal-lakshmi-tombush-and-mrs-comfort-ewang-regain-freedom-kidnappers-n60-m


By SaharaReporters, New York
Mrs. Lakshmi Tombush, Principal of ExxonMobil's elite Pegasus Schools in Eket, Southern, Akwa Ibom abducted by unknown gunmen on Oct. 13 was released last night with Mrs Comfort Ewang, wife to former Military Governor of Rivers and Ogun states.

Mrs. Tombush and Mrs. Ewang were reportedly released on Thursday night in a location in Okon area of Eket according Police sources in the state.

SaharaReporters checks in Eket indicated that that Tombush’s release was negotiated by an aide to Akpabio Chief Assam Assam (SAN), Special Adviser to Akwa Ibom Governor on Legal matters.

The involvement of the governor's aide who was sighted amongst family members and security officials on Friday in Eket, in securing Tombush’s release raises further suspicion about the involvement of the state government in the kidnap saga.

Mr. Ewang had accused the governor of using his wife's kidnap to wring his hands over his political ambition in the state.

It was gathered that when ExxonMobil management washed its hands off the kidnap incident, the SAN who is an Eket indigene compelled the kidnappers to review the ransom downward from the initial N1 billion to N30 million for each of the women.

Sam Ewang, a Governorship Aspirant in ANPP had earlier accused Akpabio of complicity in the kidnap of his wife following the request by the kidnappers that he drops his governorship ambition as part of the conditions to secure his wife’s release.

Members of Tombush family said that the sum of N30 million was paid as ransom to secure her release and berated the management of ExxonMobil in Nigeria for abandoning her to kidnappers.

“It is unfortunate and inhuman of Mobil to deny the innocent woman who was kidnapped while on her way to the office in her official car and security provided by the same company she works for."

“It is the height of cruelty that they could dissociate themselves from this incident and abandon her and her family at this crucial moment,” A member of the family who wished to remain anonymous said.

Ewang who spoke with SaharaReporters on phone from Uyo, Akwa Ibom confirmed the release of his wife

“I confirm that she has been released and she is in good form, I am extremely grateful to the media for their unflinching support during the traumatic experience” Ewang said.

On ransom , Ewang was reluctant to disclose the amount and said, “Whatever was paid is not important and cannot be compared to the life of my wife, it is not really the issue I am gratefull that she returned alife”.

Ewang had in a statement on October 17, claimed that her wife’s abductors collected a ransom of N25 million and declined to release her but rather seized his Personal Assistant who sent the ransom.

The Akwa Ibom state commissioner for information confirmed to Saharareporters that both Mrs. Tombush and Comfort EZwang have been released by the kidnappers.

Can every member of this great forum NAIRALAND join me to congratulate the POLICE for their part in securing the release of these abducted women. If it is to obtain N20.00 naira on the road they are experts, but once they hear GUNSHOT, before you say jack, police will RUN / DIVE /FLY into the BUSH / GUTTER until robbers have finished operating, then police will arrest innocent people, and wait for poeple to bring bail money for them to chop and remain like frogs.

Please can somebody tell me how much/many millions, that ASAM ASAM paid to AKPABIO to secure release of AKPABIOS ''INLAW''