A 14-year-old girl who was abducted by suspected kidnappers during a deadly attack on Uduere Community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State has regained her freedom after her family allegedly paid a ransom of N16 million.
Politicsgovernance.com gathered that the teenager was released on Tuesday between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. around the Otokutu-Agbarha axis of Ughelli North LGA and has since reunited with her family.
The victim was kidnapped last week when armed assailants reportedly stormed the community, machete a security guard, Mr. Umukoro Obukohwo Emmanuel, before whisking the teenage girl away to an unknown destination.
Sources close to the family disclosed that the kidnappers initially demanded N100 million for her release but allegedly reduced the amount to N16 million after several rounds of negotiations.
A family source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the teenager appeared physically exhausted when she regained her freedom but was in stable condition after reuniting with her relatives.
“The kidnappers first demanded N100 million, but after prolonged negotiations, the amount was reduced to N16 million. She was released on Tuesday evening around the Otokutu-Agbarha area and has since reunited with her family,” the source said.
The incident had triggered fear and anxiety in Uduere Community, with residents expressing concerns over the growing cases of kidnapping and violent crime in the area.
Following the teenager’s release, community members renewed their appeal to security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend those responsible for the attack, the killing of the security guard and the abduction.
They also urged the Delta State Government to strengthen security surveillance in Uduere and neighbouring communities to forestall similar incidents.
As of the time of filing this report, the Delta State Police Command had not officially confirmed the release of the victim. Repeated telephone calls to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, were not responded to.
