KIDNAPPERS DEMAND N25M FOR RELEASE OF RIVERS DEPUTY SPEAKER'S FATHER

THERE were strong indications yesterday that the suspected kidnappers of Chief Lawrence Nwile, the 70-year-old father of the Rivers State House of Assembly Deputy Speaker, Charles Befii Nwile, may have demanded a N25 million ransom for his release.

Nwile was kidnapped from his country home in Bane in Khana Council by eight unknown gunmen.

A source close to the Nwile family who pleaded anonymity disclosed to The Guardian yesterday that the kidnappers who called to demand N150 million had shortly after the abduction last Friday reduced the amount to N25 million.

She explained that though the Deputy Speaker was worried over his father\'s condition, he had resolved not to give in to the threats of the criminals.

According to her, Nwile has since stopped answering the calls from the kidnappers since he does not have the said amount to pay.

She said the Deputy Speaker\'s refusal to pay any money to the kidnappers was predicated on the fact that he did not want to set a dangerous precedence that would in future encourage criminals to continue with their illegal acts.

According to her, \"the kidnappers have been calling through a third party but the Deputy Speaker has told them that he does not have money. The security agencies are talking with the kidnappers and we are hopeful that Nwile will be released soon.\"

Besides, the spokesperson of the state Police Command, Mrs. Ireju Barasua, said the Joint Task Force (JTF) was on the trail of the criminals.

Meanwhile, amid frantic efforts to locate the 70-year-old with a view to securing his release, the state Peace and Rehabilitation Committee has urged Ogonis not to leave the daunting task to government and its agencies alone.

Secretary of the committee, Jerry Needam, who condemned the abduction, described it an unfortunate incident. He added: \"I regret that such a demoralising and sad commentary could reportedly happen in Ogoni. The people should rather team up for greater political relevance in the state.\"

He lamented that the incident took place only a few weeks after such acts of brigandage and hooliganism were publicly renounced in Khana for which the entire Ogoni community had been commended.

He said the committee was leaving no stone unturned in finding out the circumstances that led to the kidnap of the old man; assuring that every effort would be made to secure his release.

Similarly, the Action Congress (AC) in the state has urged security agencies to do everything possible to get Pa Nwile off the hook of his kidnappers.

The party\'s spokesperson, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze said \"this unholy and dastardly act is not acceptable to us and we wish to condemn it and ask for the immediate release of this old man whose age is put at over 70, as at this age he cannot withstand any harsh and untoward treatment.\"