Kidnappers killed 20 victims in my presence – Anambra native doctor

<p>A native doctor, Chidozie Nwangwu, freed by kidnappers in Anambra State, said on Saturday that he witnessed the killing of about 20 other victims by the kidnappers.</p>, <p>The native doctor, popularly called Akwa Okuko Tiwaraki, was kidnapped at his Triple P Hotel in Oba, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State at about 11:30 pm on Sunday, July 23.</p>, <p>Narrating his ordeal, Nwangwu disclosed that he would have escaped from the kidnappers’ den if he wanted to but that his abductors would have killed more people if he left.</p>, <p>Sunday PUNCH gathered that the native doctor was released by his abductors in the early hours of Saturday after they collected an undisclosed amount as ransom.</p>, <p>The Anambra State Police spokesman, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed his release to journalists on Saturday.</p>, <p>However, Ikenga did not disclose the actual amount paid as ransom, stating that the abductors reached out to the native doctor’s colleagues and friends and some money was paid to them before he was freed.</p>, <p>He added, “Yes, he has been released this morning (Saturday). We are waiting to debrief him, with a view to getting his experience and clue of who the abductors are, so that we can go after them.</p>, <p>“I have the information that his abductors contacted friends and relatives and demanded some millions. I also have information that his abductors were demanding some specific amount but I have not gotten the accurate figure.</p>, <p>“According to speculations, they said it’s between N200m and N300m. We are making efforts to get in touch with him and get accurate information surrounding his abduction.”</p>, <p>A source also informed our correspondent that Nwangwu’s friends pooled money together in order to pay his ransom.</p>, <p>The source said, “He was released very early this morning (Saturday). He is currently celebrating with his friends and well-wishers in his house in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area. His friends rallied round and raised the money for the abductors,