By Francis Sadhere

The people of AKPERHE community of Olomu kingdom in Ughelli-South Area of Delta State could now hide their joy as 76 year old Mrs Otiti Esegba who was kidnapped by armed men escaped from her abductors at Oviri-Olomu.

Mrs. Esegba, mother of Engr. Benard Esegba, Managing Director of Ben-Segba Technical Services Ltd, an oil servicing firm and contractor to several oil companies in the Niger Delta region, was forcefully taken away from her home by armed men at about 2am on Monday.

Also that same night Dr. Richard Kofi, a native of Okpare community, also in Olomu Kingdom resident in Ughelli, was kidnap while entering a clinic but was later released at Oviri-Olomu.

Reformer also gathered that the kidnap of Mrs. Esegba was the first in the peaceful community.

How she managed to escaped from the den of Kidnappers could be likened to a miracle because her story says it all and her escape threw the community of Olomu kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government area of Delta State, into wild jubilation.

Narrating her ordeal before her escape, Mrs. Esegba said; “At about 2am while I was asleep, I heard a loud noise and before I knew it two heavily armed men storm into the house and seized me after pulling down my door. Three others also armed joined them and ransacked the house, took my jewelries, my George wrappers and several thousands of naira. They started beating and hitting me with guns.

“Thereafter I was dragged into a waiting okada. One of them sat behind me while the three others took the other okada. The one seated behind me held my mouth, my throat and blinded folded me.

“They took me to what look like an uncompleted building. I them what I did and what was the matter.  I told them that I will give them money and that they should not kill me.

“I had some money tied on my cloth, but they said that that was not the kind of money there were looking for. They said they were looking for big money and  that they want my son to pay them big money before I will be released. They also said that they will not kill me.  I promised them that I will sell off my canopies, chairs and land to pay them but they refused. They said they were also going to kidnap other people.

“I started begging them but they took me into a forest some distance from the house. There were huts in the forest. They asked me to sit down in one of the huts and I was still begging them when three of them left the two of us behind.

“I overheard them saying they were going to kidnap other people. Because of the mosquitoes were biting me, one of them gave me his cloth to cover myself. I was still begging them and was praying because I was just baptized on Friday. I was praying that God should deliver me and put them to a deep sleep.

“After a hours I discovered that they were asleep so I made attempt to sneak away but one of them shouted that ‘if you move i will shoot you.’ So I said I wanted to ease myself.

“After sometime again both of them dozed off and I used that opportunity to creep out. I ran into a footpath and as I was running I met a woman who was too afraid to help me. It was almost dawn by then because I can see a bit clearer. I met two other women who also did not help.

“Finally I met a fisherman on an okada with fishing gadgets but i was scared to stop him. But on a second thought I called to him for help and this Good Samaritan took me to his home at a place I later found out to be Oviri-Olomu. After hearing my story at his home I found out that he was married to my niece. They clothed me as i was almost naked.

“This man called my people at Akperhe at about 6am. My people later alerted Oviri Community leadership.  that is my story.”

Eldest son of the victim, Engr. Benard Esegba was shocked by story of the kidnap of his mother, said he was in Lagos when they informed him about his mother was suspected to be kidnapped.

He said; “I immediately place a call to my Bishop, His Holiness, Miyerijesu, Cousin Engr. Isaac Omafuaire, the President General of my town, and the Councilor representing us that my mother was kidnapped. I also called the Ughelli vigilante through Mr. Ufuoma Akpodiete to swing into action which they did.

“Immediately I left Lagos, on my way I was called that they have found her. When I arrived I went to the hospital where she was receiving treatment as she was in a bad shape, bruised and injured.

I am grateful to God, My Bishop, Olomu Monarch, the Akperhe people, Oviri people, security agents and the vigilante who worked seriously and the Oviri-Olomu youths. I am indebted to all who joined me in prayers.

Reacting to the kidnap and the escape, a furious HRM, Ovie R. L. Ogbon, the Ohworode of Olomu kingdom said, “This is condemnable in its entirety, this is a taboo, it is unacceptable. I thank God that she has been released.

“I want the Governor to accent to the anti-kidnapping bill quickly, such people must die. I am going to call a meeting of all the communities, the Olomu vigilante and communities vigilante must be coordinated to forestall recurrence of such again.

“Olomu is a peaceful place, we are hardworking and industrious people, we don’t condone or harbour criminals. Criminal elements should not use Olomu for their evil operations.”

Commenting on the incident, Chief Felix Osiaje, President General of Akperhe Community said, “This is an insider job, no stranger can come into my community to do this devilish act. There is an insider involve in this thing. I am happy that she escaped but I am going to the village to find a solution to this act.

While sympathizing with the family and friends of Engineer Benard, he said the community does not tolerate criminality.

Chief Joe Unuame, political Adviser to Deputy Governor of Delta State, who was in shock exclaimed when he heard the news, asking; “Has kidnappers reached Akperhe? This is alien; it is not in our blood. It is very strange that such thing can take place in Akperhe. But I am happy she is now found.

“The local vigilante has to be beefed up. We don’t know who could be next. The police cannot be everywhere. The local vigilante must be mobilized for immediate action.

A top security chief who crave anonymity regretted that the Oviri, Egodo, Aloba and Kiagbodo axis has become very notorious and a haven for kidnappers activities despite local vigilante in operation in these areas.

He maintained that to curb this situation, a military formation has to be established to put an end to such nefarious activities of idle youths who want quick money even as the Christmas period draws near.

“Barr. Omonemu who was kidnapped has just been released after 20 days and another of our person is being kidnapped again? This is terrible, it does not portend well for us at all, he added.

Kofi was said to be kidnapped while driving out of his clinic last night by gunmen who forcefully drove him away but was later found at Oviri, details of his kidnapped were hazy at the time of filling this report.