Fear trails abduction of ‘richest’ native doctor in Anambra hotel

<p>Police denies rumours of his release</p>, <p>Fear, yesterday, trailed the abduction of an acclaimed native doctor, popularly known as ‘Akwa Okuko Tiwaraki’ (the chicken’s egg that broke a palm kernel), on Sunday, in Anambra State.</p>, <p>The native doctor, who hails from Oba, in Idemili North Local Council of the state, was kidnapped on Sunday night, while two of his personal security were shot dead by his assailants in his Triple O Hotel.</p>, <p>A source expressed surprisewith the way the acclaimed native doctorwas easily abducted, as men, women and youths dreaded him because of his purported witchcraft. He said people daily trooped to his Oba mansion for anti-bullet charmsand money rituals.</p>, <p>Meanwhile, his home has become a Mecca of sorts since the news of his abduction became public. A family source said his abductors were yet to make contact or demand,adding that efforts are ongoing to secure his release.</p>, <p>A resident in Onitsha, John Ikwuibe, toldThe Guardian that he visited the native doctor’s residence to confirm the news because “they saw Akwa Okuko Tiwaraki as a man above human destruction. He boasts that he has magical powers to do what he wants.”</p>, <p>Another resident, Zelibem Nwachukwu, said he was friendly with him, and had come to sympathise with the family.</p>, <p>Others, Ujunwa Jenny and Joyce Uba, said they came to ascertain the possibility of his kidnap, because of his self-acclaimed strongest witch doctor in Anambra.</p>, <p>“People said he possesses powers to appear and disappear at will. How come the kidnappers pick him up and killed his two personal guards like that,” Uba queried.</p>, <p>Meanwhile, Anambra State Police Command has cautioned the public over rumours of purported release of the abducted native doctor.</p>, <p>Spokesperson for the Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, said there is no news of the native doctor’s return yet.</p>, <p>Ikenga said the Commissioner of Police (CP), Aderemi Adeoye, has ordered operatives to go after his abductors and ensure his release.</p>,