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5 November 2009
Abuja — Father of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has been released by his kidnappers after two weeks in captivity. Prof. Soludo is the PDP governorship candidate in the Anambra 2010 election. Confirming the release to newsmen in Awka yesterday, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Mr Emeka Chukwuemeka said the 78-year-old Pa Soludo was released in good health.
Chukwuemeka said the abductors dumped him between Oko and Umunze road in Aguata Local Council Area of Anambra at about 11 p.m. on Wednesday. He said on information the police picked and escorted Pa Soludo to his house that same night.
According to Chukwuemeka, from reports, he is hale and hearty, but added that the police did not get involved in the negotiations for any ransom and as such could not comment on that.
"I encourage people not to pay ransom to kidnappers in order not to give the impression that it is a thriving business", he said. He gave the assurance that in spite of Pa Soludo's release, the police would work "round the clock" to arrest the suspects. On the invitation of Prof. Soludo for interaction with the commissioner of police on the matter, Chukwuemeka said the PDP governorship candidate was at liberty to visit the police.
He added that there was always a high level of interaction between Soludo and the commissioner of police. The overjoyed former CBN governor had earlier told newsmen, "My father has been released and I wish to ask all to join me in thanking God.
To God be the glory, my father has just been released by the kidnappers! We are emboldened by this experience to dedicate our lives to the service of our fatherland and to find a lasting solution to the kidnapping problem. Those who sought to break our will must be told that the wind of change in Anambra is unstoppable. Please join us in thanking God". NAN
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We are happy about the release of the old man. But the question is, why is Prof. Soludo not thinking of affecting Nigeria in any other way than through a government seat? With the knowledge, success, money and influence, Soludo does more to help the many unemployed youths and the sagging economy by making outfits where jobs can be provided, many NGOs that will both provide employment and boost the economy. But government indulgence virus has infected him too: they just want to seat on government capacities and for them (Soludo's type) that's the only way they can be of good service to the society, this is very bad. He is the cause of plague on his father's life and we should know how he got his father released, police should investigate it. It is very uncommon that the kidnappers just repented without any ransom or stuff of such. Chris Uba and the rest are saying how Soludo went to them to bribe them too. I don't personally think all of these are lies: the point is that, where is Soludo getting all these money from: he must have been seriously saving up for this time when in CBN right, i remember million of dollars were among the bribe offered. Why are these so called intellectuals too rubbishing the class they belong too?