China-based businessman, Onyeaka Ezewulu, was shot during a kidnapping in Akwa Ibom State and died a day after but his kidnappers still went ahead to collect N2 million ransom from his family.
This emerged after a special tactical squad of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command invaded the kidnappers’ den in Mbiaso community, Nsit Ibom Local Government Area.
It was learnt that one of the three suspects found at the location was shot dead after engaging the police in a gun duel while the other two were arrested.
A painstaking investigation led by one CSP Julian Igbodu was said to have led to the taking down of the gang.
A female suspect, Deborah Sunday, provided the police with information that led to the location of the hideout.
Read Also: Bua Cement Revenues Hit N209.4bn In FY2020 Audited Results
Sunday told reporters that Ezewulu was shot in the leg when three members of the gang invaded his home on Idoro Road, Uyo and attempted to kidnap him on March 5.
She said that the bleeding victim was therefore bundled into a waiting Toyota Camry car and driven to the kidnappers’ den.
It was learnt that Ezewulu died the next day from the gunshot wound and was buried in a shallow ground in the kidnappers’ den.
The victim’s brother, Patrick said his brother dealt in exotic boxes and clothes.
He said that Onyeaka was on a family visit to the state when he was attacked.
“Unknown to us, the hoodlums had already killed Onyeka before we paid them the N2m on March 10, 2021. That was why after the payment was made to them, we waited for days to see him regain his freedom, all to no avail.
“We didn’t know he actually died a day after he was kidnapped. That was four days before we paid the ransom.”