kidnapped Rivers Commissioner regains freedom

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

PORT HARCOURT – Kidnapped Commissioner for Power in Rivers State, Mr. Augustine Nwokocha, has regained his freedom, but a senior staff of Federal College of Education (Technical), Omoku, was not that lucky as he was said to have died in the custody of the kidnappers.

Confirming his release weekend, the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, said he was driven to a spot around Big Elele, in Rivers State, where he was released but could not say if any ransom was paid.

She said his aide who was kidnapped with him also regained his freedom, adding that he was first released on Omoku road before the kidnappers drove the Commissioner to Big Elele to release him.

It will be recalled that the Commissioner was taken hostage at Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area on October 13, while on an assessment tour of some areas affected by flood disaster in the state.

A security source told Vanguard that a senior staff of the Federal College of Education, (Technical) Omoku (name and office withheld) who was taken hostage before the commissioner was kidnapped,  lost his life in the custody of the kidnappers.