Perm. Sec, Osuofia Kidnapped
• Abductors demand N45m ransom
From Aisha Wakaso in Minna and Chinyere Okoye in Lagos, 11.10.2009


Kidnappers who abducted the Niger state Permanent Secretary  in charge of Youth Affairs, Alhaji Adamu Umar, yesterday along Suleja/ Diko express way, are demanding  a N30 million  ransom before their victim could be released.
The Permanent Secretary was said to be on his way from Zaria, Kaduna state,  where he is currently  pursuing a post graduate programme at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, when he was kidnapped.
Also yesterday, unknown gunmen kidnapped Nollywood popular actor/comedian,  Nkem Owoh,  a.k.a Osuofia,  along Enugu-Port Harcourt express way, demanding N15 million ransom. His kidnap came barely few months after the ace actor, Pete Edochie,  was kidnapped at Afor-Nkpor in the Idemili North local government area of Anambra state.
Wife of the kidnapped Niger state government official, Hajiya Maimuna Umar, said her husband called her around 9 pm on Sunday to tell her of his plight, adding that while she was on phone with him, the kidnappers collected the phone from her,  asking her to make available the sum of N30 million as ransom for her husband's release.
She said  after ordering her to remain close to her phone for further instructions, they switched off the line on her.   The  State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Richard Oguche, when contacted confirmed the report, saying his command had dispatched two units of armed policemen out to track the kidnappers.
He disclosed that information reaching the command confirmed that the permanent secretary has been taken to Zaria in his car by six people who are holding him hostage.
“We are on top of the issue as we have sent two units of policemen to track down the kidnappers who abducted the permanent secretary along Suleja/ Diko express way while returning from Zaria,” he said.
"While the police are doing their  best to bring the man back in good health, anybody with useful information about the case should please assist the police in tracking the kidnappers, ” he said.


http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=159391

This issue of kidnapping appears to have become profession to certain people.This is sad to country.