By Aplefe Ojong
The kidnapped Labour Party, LP candidate for the Calabar South/Akpabuyo/Bakassi Federal Constituency, in the forthcoming election Hon. Dominic Aqua Edem, who was kidnapped by last week by unknown gunmen has finally been released by his captors, CrossRiverWatch can now authoritatively inform you.
Personal Assistant to the released Akpabuyo born politician, Maxwell, when contacted by CrossRiverWatch confirmed that his boss was finally released on Saturday evening.
When asked if anybody has been arrested in connection with the issue, the PA to Edem said that nobody has been arrested to his knowledge and that the police were still investigating the matter.
Maxwell also explained that he was not aware whether or not money was given before his boss was released, adding that initially the kidnappers demanded for N150 million, and subsequently came down to N30 million, but thanked God that his boss has been released at last.
However, competent and impeccable sources informed CrossRiverWatch that the kidnapped LP House of Representatives candidate was dropped at the Aro-chukwu Bridge yesterday at about 7.00pm by unknown men after the sum of N10 million was paid.
Our source said the ransom was facilitated by a high profile politician in the state “who has had sleepless nights all these days that Hon. Edem was kidnapped by unknown gun men.”
CrossRiverWatch gathered that some youths of Akpabuyo, Bakassi and a section of them in Calabar South were already threatening fire and brimstones if Hon. Edem is not released before the elections or if he is hurt in any manner.
Attempts to confirm the former NDDC Commissioner’s release were also not successful as calls to the telephone number of the spokesman of the State Police Command, Hogan Bassey were not taken. But a police officer in his office who spoke to CrossRiverWatch under anonymity said the police is not aware whether any ransom was paid before Aqua Edem was released and assured that the command is on the trail of the kidnappers and will eventually find them and bring them to book.
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