HOORAY! - KIDNAPPERS RELEASE JOHN OKAFOR'S WIFE AND SON

Hip hip hooray! The wife of John Okafor (Mr. Ibu) and his infant son have been released by their abductors. John Okafor's wife and child were abducted on January 4th by unidentified gunmen in Enugu (Nigeria). The kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of N50 million ($333,000) for the release of Okafor's wife and child. After much pleading the ransom was reduced to N6 million ($40,000). As at January 7th, Okafor had only been able to raise N200,000 ($1,333) out of the ransom. However, Okafor's wife and child were on Thursday night(January 13) freed by their kidnappers and reunited with an elated Okafor.

Speaking on the release of his wife and child, Okafor said:

“What I can happily tell you is that my loving wife and lovely one-year-old son were released to me on Thursday night safe and alive. They are out quite all right, but the condition I met them was very appalling and pathetic. They looked like real prisoners… Asking me whether a ransom was paid at this time is what I cannot answer. But at the appropriate time, I will give you the full details of what transpired."

According to him the government of his home state (Enugu) where he resides, and where the kidnap took place did not do anything to assist him in securing the freedom of his family. He said it was his own efforts and that of a few concerned friends that resulted in the release of his family.

“I thank God first for everything, but it was my own effort and that of few concerned friends of mine that made the release possible. My state government that I have done so much for abandoned me to my fate when I needed them most, but no hard feelings,” he said.