From Tony John, Port Harcourt
Gunmen have abducted a 78-year-old woman, Madam Comfort Nkpuninue, at Teka Sogho community in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Also, a lecturer at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, Dr. Adokiye Kalio, and four others, have been kidnapped by hoodlums in the state.
The victims were abducted at the weekend, at different locations by armed bandits.
It was gathered that the abductors of Madam Nkpuninue initially demanded N7 million ransom; but, Daily Sun gathered that they later reduced it to N3 million.
The first son of the septuagenarian, Jaja Tsaroh N-ue, has appealed to security agencies to prevail on the abductors of his mother to release her unconditionally.
Meanwhile, a socio-political group, Akere Khana, has condemned the kidnap of the 78 years old woman and urged security agencies and Khana council to ensure immediate release of the victim.
Meanwhile, state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Nnamdi Omoni, a deputy superintendent of police (DSP), yesterday disclosed that security men rescued Dr. Kalio, adding that police had intensified efforts to ensure safe rescue of the 78 years old woman.
Chairperson of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at the University, Dr. Ugochukwu Agi, had earlier said Kalio was on a mission to rescue some kidnap victims when the incident occurred.
Agi said Kalio was abducted when he attempted to rescue three members of one family, who were abducted by gunmen.
He said lecturers of the institution are worried about the abduction and condition of their colleague.
However, the Civil Liberty Organisation (CLO) in the state has reiterated its call for the establishment of the Neighbourhood Watch to address the issues of kidnapping and other violent crimes.
Chairman of the group, Sotonye George, made the call following the kidnap of one Nimi Jack, at the weekend, along Victoria Street, in Port Harcourt metropolis.
Also, gunmen who abducted a Port Harcourt-based business woman identified as Mrs. Tina Bobmanuel, in Woji, near Port Harcourt, have refused to free her after collecting a ransom of N5.3 million.
It was also gathered that an unnamed man, who had volunteered to ferry part of the money demanded by the hoodlums to a specified location, was also kidnapped.
Mrs Bobmanuel, 58, was kidnapped at her shop in Nvuigwe, Woji, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state on Wednesday, November 22.
Son of the victim, Charles Felix, who disclosed this to newsmen in Port Harcourt yesterday, said the gunmen contacted the family four days after the incident and demanded N100 million.