*One month after, abducted Rivers 92-year-old monarch’s whereabouts unknown*
The whereabouts of a 92-year-old traditional ruler of Ayama Ekede community, Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, HRH Bibama Ekpirikpo abducted almost a month ago is still unknown.
The monarch was kidnapped on Monday night, May 17, by a group of armed men at his residence in Andoni.
But the family disclosed that the Police are demanding a huge sum of money to be involved in the search for the kidnapped monarch.
The son, Jonathan Ekpirikpo, who spoke to The PUNCH Monday said the kidnappers were yet to contact any family member. He expressed fears over his aged father’s state of health pleaded that Rivers State Government intervened.
Jonathan tearfully said, “Since then they (kidnappers) have not established any contact with us. We have not heard anything We are appealing that he should be released unconditionally because he has a health condition.
“We are also calling on the State Government to intervene. Right now we don’t know what to do because there is no money.
“We reported the matter to the police in Andoni. But they are demanding a huge sum of money to get involved. We can’t afford that kind of money.
“The last time my people went there, they (police) said they will transfer the case to Port Harcourt. But we don’t know how far they have gone. We even went on Radio too where we called for the government’s intervention.
“What can we do? We just hand everything to God…So, we are very worried. That is the situation.”
When contacted, the spokesman for the state police command, Nnamdi Omoni, said he was not aware of anyone asking for money and asked our correspondent to send his number to the family.
“If anyone is asking for money I am not aware. Who is asking for money? Why didn’t he report to us? Give him my number let him call me. We will take it from there,” Omoni stated.
