Kidnappers of Mr. Temitope Kuteyi, a Channels TV reporter have demanded the sum of N15 million to secure his release.
Mr. Kuteyi was abducted in the early hours of Monday from his house located along Umuguma Specialist Hospital, Owerri by the kidnappers.
In a press statement released by the Chief Press Secretary to the Imo Governor, Mr Sam Onwuemeodo, the government pointed out that th kidnappers have only plotted to inconvenience the victim and his family as the “young man (victim) was only a reporter” and could not possibly raise the amount demanded as ransom.
The Chief Press Secretary added in the statement that: “A journalist cannot afford to pay any ransom. To us he must have been a victim of mistaken identity,”
However, the Security man present identified as Thomas who was an eye witness reported that the kidnappers were about eight in number adding that they scaled through the fence into the victim’s compound to perpetrate the evil act.
He said: “I was in the security room with my brother when someone opened the window and pointed a gun at us and ordered us to open the gate, but I refused.
“While I was arguing with them, I didn’t know that other members of the gang had climbed into the compound through the fence; they broke into my `oga’s’ house and brought him out.
“After that, they entered into the next bungalow and smashed all the window glasses, but the man there escaped through the fence at the back.
“They took his car and drove away with my Oga,”