Abducted Edo Dep. Gov. CPS Regains Freedom

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Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Deputy Governor, Mr. Kelly Odaro, who was kidnapped last Saturday night, has been freed.

The journalist and a former polytechnic don was kidnapped between the hours of 8 and 9 pm on Saturday on his way home from the NUJ Press Centre by unknown gunmen who obstructed his official car very close to his house, and kidnapped him. He regained his freedom last Monday night, September 17th, 2012.

Mr Odaro told yemojanews.com on Tuesday morning that his abductors appeared to have been monitoring his movement before his eventual abduction.

It was learnt that he was released after an undisclosed amount of money was paid as ransom.

The CPS said the abductors blind-folded him throughout his stay with them.

According to him, “They were very nice to me, they brought different kinds of food to me while I was there, but I did not eat any of the food. I only regretted not eating enough of the Indomie I ate at the Press Centre prior to my abduction.

“I could not see their faces, I only heard their voices. They were discussing the N5, 000 note the CBN is planning to introduce, and the huge amount to be used for the printing.

“While I was there, I prayed fervently that the media will not report my abduction, but still, my friends from abroad who read the stories online called my wife.

“It was a harrowing experience, but they always apologized to me, saying that the poor economy in the country led them to kidnapping. I have gone there and I have returned. Glory be to God,” he said.

The Chief Secretary to the Deputy Governor is the first Edo State-based journalist to be
kidnapped.