Abductors Of Lawyer, Kennedy Nwashindi, Keep Mum After Receiving N3m Ransom

The family of Kennedy Nwashindi, a lawyer who was abducted in
the Asaba area of Delta State, has lamented the silence of the
kidnappers after ransom was paid for his release.

The 54-year-old was kidnapped by gunmen on April 6 on his way to
his residence in Okpanam, Asaba, around 7pm.

The kidnappers were said to have used the victim’s mobile phone
to demand N50m ransom from his family.

Our correspondent gathered that Kennedy’s family appealed to the
abductors that they could only raise about N3m.

The victim’s elder brother, Pastor Favour Nwashindi, said the
kidnappers’ silence since the money was sent to them had raised
concerns in the family.

Nwashindi, who spoke to PUNCH Metro on Monday, said the family
had reported the matter to the Commissioner of Police in Delta
State, Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the church
the father of four attended, and different vigilance groups.

Favour stated that they were preparing for their mother’s burial
on April 16 when Kennedy was kidnapped.

He said, “Our mother died on March 26, 2019. We were preparing
for her burial on April 16; but 10 days to the burial, my younger
brother, Kennedy, was on his way to his house in the Okpanam area
of Asaba when some men who wore masks asked him to alight from his
car. They left with him.

“After the incident, his abductors used his phone to communicate
with the family, demanding N50m ransom.

“When he told them that there was no such money and that our
mother was in a mortuary, they stopped calling. When they started
calling again, they asked the family to send N3m.

“Immediately they collected the ransom, they switched off his
phone. We are worried; tomorrow (Tuesday) will make it 30 days
since he was kidnapped in front of his house. We are not getting
any feedback from the Delta State Government, the Nigerian Bar
Association, Asaba branch; Winner’s Chapel, which he attends; we
are just in total confusion.”

According to him, Kennedy’s wife, Temi Nwashindi, a
Superintendent of Police, had also made efforts which proved
abortive.

He noted that the police had instructed her to stop talking to
people, including her husband’s relatives.

A text message Temi allegedly sent to members of the family,
which was sighted by PUNCH Metro, indicated her frustration over
the matter.

“At this stage, I have done everything humanly possible to
secure the release of my husband and your brother. I have spent
what I have and what I do not have to secure his release, but no
result.

“I have prayed, fasted, paid ransom, hired vigilantes of
different communities with hundreds of thousands; I have paid
prophets, pastors, imams and police. Still my Ken is not back. His
case is strange in the history of kidnapping.

“At this stage, I am appealing to you all on bended knee to help
me move out and find solution. If it’s more money the kidnappers
want, I will borrow or source for it. I can sell my car, my house
to get him back alive.

“His children and other numerous fatherless children he takes
care of need him alive and back. God needs him in his service. Help
me reach out to places. Help me make contacts. I have reached my
breaking point. I will pay whatever money the abductors want more.
Let them make contact.

“Let them call me so that I can hear his voice. I will give them
more money. I beg of you all in Jesus mighty name,” the text
read.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Delta State, DSP Onome
Onovwakpoyeya, said the police were on top of the situation.

She explained that the police decided to be silent for security
reasons.

Onovwakpoyeya said, “We don’t want to reveal what is going on;
not that we are silent about it. Two suspects have been arrested,
but their names have been withheld because we are expecting
somebody to be released from prison, who is a member of the
gang.

“For now, there is no communication really with the kidnappers;
but we are tracking the suspects.”

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