Mrs. Naomi Jumbo, the wife of the clan head of Obong in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, has regained her freedom after an alleged payment of N2.5m ransom.
Punch Metro reports that Naomi was said to have been kidnapped by five unidentified gunmen near their country home at Ibio Edem Urua while returning from an outing.
A family source, who did not want his name in print, told our correspondent on Thursday that the monarch paid N2.5m to secure his wife’s freedom from the abductors after extensive negotiations.
The source revealed that the kidnappers blindfolded and ferried the woman from Ukwa Ngwa forest in the neighbouring Abia State and left her at Iwukem Village, about 10 minutes’ drive to her husband’s palace in Ibio Edem Urua.
It was learnt that the hoodlums called the monarch, Chief Tuesday Jumbo, to come and pick his wife from where they had dumped her. The woman was said to have been taken to undisclosed hospital thereafter for medical attention.
“Yes, they dumped her at Iwukem Village at about 7:00 pm on Wednesday; the husband was immediately alerted to pick her up from the place,” the source said.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr. Bala Elkana, who confirmed Naomi’s release, said the police was not aware of any ransom the family claimed to have paid the abductors.
He also said the police have arrested the suspects and are keeping them in custody to help with investigations.
He said, “I am not aware of any ransom claim; we do not negotiate with kidnappers.
“We have the suspects in our custody that we are investigating and by the grace of God we will get to the root of the matter.”
