Ogbonna Amadi, Benjamin Njoku and Tony Edike
11 November 2009
Lagos — POLICE commands in the South-Eastern states have been placed on red alert to fish out the kidnappers of Nollywood star actor and comedian, Nkem Owoh.
He was abducted on the Enugu- Port Harcourt Expressway on Monday.
The rise in kidnapping in the South-East has forced a majority of the actors who are based in Enugu to relocate to Lagos for safety. Owoh, who was residing in Enugu with his family, had relocated to Lagos some months ago.
"How can we continue staying here, when today you hear that they abducted Pete Edochie and tomorrow you hear that it is Osuofia? Who knows who they will kidnap tomorrow? A top actor, who wanted his name veiled, said, adding that the abductors had contacted Owoh's family, demanding N15m, which they insisted must be paid without delay.
Although the whereabouts of the abducted movie star is unknown, a senior police officer attached to Zone 9 Police Headquarters in Umuahia, Abia State, told Vanguard on telephone yesterday that the authorities had asked all commands in the zone to rescue the actor without delay.
He said the spate of kidnapping in the zone had become a major embarrassment to the police and as such would not continue to watch "these enemies" to terrorise innocent citizens for their selfish ends.
Owoh, popularly called Osuofia, was reportedly abducted on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway on Monday while travelling to Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
There were, however, conflicting reports yesterday regarding the exact spot where he was seized. While some said he was abducted between Aba and Port Harcourt, others said he was picked from his car at Lokpanta in Abia State.
Enugu State Police Command 's spokesman, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, when contacted yesterday said from reports Owoh was abducted at Lokpanta, which is under the Abia State Command . He did not give further details.
Meanwhile, reports said the kidnappers are demanding N15 million for his release.
While some newspapers reported yesterday that the kidnappers are demanding N45million, sources in the movie industry said the demand is N15m.
It was also gathered that Owoh' kidnap has created fears among local movie actors who now see themselves as potential targets of kidnappers.
Two months ago, another popular actor, Pete Edochie, was abducted in Onitsha, Anambra State, but was released unconditionally after a day in captivity.
Read comments. Write your own.
Copyright © 2009 Vanguard. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
You see why Igbos cannot be trusted with reins of power in Nigeria because they love money and will do anything to get it. look how they imported the filth of piracy in Somalia to our beloved country. I'm 100% sure they will fail with their so-called Biafra with their selfish behavior and lust after money it has been like that from the beginning what a shame.
All these nonsence has nothing to do with Igbos or Biafra. If you have a Government in your so called Nigeria, all these could not be happening. Just be real big fool.
NIGERIA, A FAILED STATE? LOL! IS THAT A QUESTION? What do you expect from a country that mass produces college graduates who never find any job available for them after school? Talk about GRADUATE ARMED THUGGERY. Almost 40 Years of HAUSA/OBASANJO rule of Nigeria, Nigeria has become, and remains an EYESORE to the reputation and intergrity of the Black Man everywhere. What a DISGRACE! IS THIS THE WHITE MAN'S FAULT TOO?
na so we go the dey bros mak we takam esy i no say no be una fualt but at least.