Mr Lawrence Sunday Nwile, the father of the Rivers State House of Assembly Deputy Speaker, breathed the air of freedom Saturday night when his abductors finally released him to the Joint Military Task Force over the weekend.
Also, the 81-year old father of a member of Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Jeffi Komonibo, kidnapped by gunmen at Odi, Bayelsa State last Monday has been released.
Mr Nwile’s release was effected when men of the Joint Task Force arrested one of the kidnappers on Thursday last week. The spokesman for the JTF, Major Sagir Musa told newsmen that the arrest of one of the kidnappers assisted the taskforce in the release of Mr Nwile.
Major Musa said that though the octogenarian might have gone through some stress, “ he is still healthy and looking fit “. No statement was made by the taskforce whether a ransom was paid on the Deputy Speakers’ father.
Efforts to release the aged man began last week, after Mr Nwile was abducted at his home town in Banre in Khana Local Government Area of the state, on Friday, October 5, 2007.
Mr Nwile was kidnapped by unknown gunmen, who barricaded his compound and took him away.
Few days later the kidnappers sent a message demanding for a ransom of N20 million for his release.
But both the local authorities and even the deputy speaker and remained adamant over the demand as they refused to negotiate with the abductors.
The Tide learnt that the arrested kidnapper might have provided useful information which led to the release of Mr Nwile.
Already, the spokesman for the JTF said the arrested kidnapper has been handed over to the state security agents for further investigation and prosecution.
