Enugu mother and three sons released after abduction

A woman and her three sons who were abducted while harvesting cassava on farmland in Ugbene Ajima, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State, on November 5 have been released. The victims were identified as Mrs Bridget Okey and her sons Chukwubuike, Chukwuemeka and Chijioke. Reports say they were seized at Nwiyi Ivuruge, along the route to Umualogo Village in the neighbouring Nkpologu community. Vanguard reported that the kidnappers initially demanded N40 million. According to a source, heavy media attention and pressure from security agencies led the abductors to lower their demand, and they collected N4 million before releasing the family. The source said contributions from family members, relatives by marriage, community residents and friends helped raise the money used to secure their release. However, Barrister Chijioke Ezugwu, chairman of Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area, denied that any ransom was paid, attributing the victims' release to work by security agencies. Ezugwu praised the agencies for their dedication, professionalism and coordinated response, which he said helped bring about the family's release. He told residents of Ugbene Ajima and other communities across the local government area that his administration would keep cooperating closely with security agencies to boost surveillance, enhance intelligence gathering and prevent a repeat of such incidents.