The Deputy Chief Press Secretary to Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, Mr. Freddy Ndigbara, kidnapped by gunmen eight days ago, has regained his freedom.
Ndigbara was kidnapped in his community, Kaani in Khana Local Government Area last Saturday while preparing for the All Progressives Congress ward rally.
The kidnappers reportedly stormed the rally ground where Ndigbara was supervising the setting up of canopies, went straight for him and forced him into a waiting Toyota Highlander vehicle.
Ndigbara’s wife, Joyce, said on Saturday that her husband was blindfolded by his captors for many days before he was eventually released.
The abductors of the governor’s aide had established contact with his family and allegedly demanded for a N100 million ransom.
Confirming the release of her husband at the Government House Clinic, Port Harcourt, where he is currently admitted, Mrs. Ndigbara explained that he was allowed to go without removing the blindfold from his eyes.
Though she could not explain her husband’s ordeal in the hands of the kidnappers, she pointed out that some indigenes of Nwawi community in the same Khana Local Government Area saw the kidnap victim and removed the blindfold from his eyes.
“He (Ndigbara) was blindfolded for many days. Even when he was allowed to go, he was still blindfolded and left around the bush in Nwawi community. Some members of the community saw him and rescued him”, she added.
Ndigbara’s wife, who was taking food to her husband at the Government House Clinic, disclosed that he was not yet stable as a result of the ordeal he passed through in the hands of the kidnappers.
“I am happy that my husband has been released. We thank God for His mercies. My husband is not stable now, but I know he will soon be alright”, a much relieved Mrs. Ndigbara stated.