By Society Page Writer
Imason Egbesun
The Chairman of Sapele Local Government Area in Delta State, Chief Bright Abeke, has regained his freedom after spending 10 days in the hands of kidnappers.
The Delta State Police Command confirmed his release in the early hours of Tuesday, bringing relief to residents and political associates who had been anxious since his abduction.
Abeke was reportedly kidnapped around 7:00 p.m. when heavily armed gunmen stormed a hotel along Owumi Road in Sapele where he was lodging. Eyewitnesses said the attackers, believed to be about 15 in number, arrived in a Range Rover and two other vehicles, firing shots into the air and causing panic in the area.
The assailants allegedly overpowered security personnel at the hotel before whisking the council chairman away to an unknown destination.
Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Bright Edafe, said Abeke had been released after 10 days in captivity. However, he noted that no suspects had been arrested in connection with the incident.
Edafe also declined to reveal details surrounding the release, including whether any ransom was paid, but assured that security agencies were intensifying efforts to track down the kidnappers.
According to him, specialised anti-kidnapping teams have been deployed to Sapele and surrounding areas, with intelligence gathering already underway.
“We have deployed technical and intelligence units to Sapele and we are getting useful leads regarding the abductors. Although there has been no ransom demand reported, we are optimistic that the suspects will soon be apprehended,” he said.
The kidnapping had sparked widespread concern among residents of Sapele and other parts of Delta State, amid growing fears over rising insecurity in the region.
Abeke’s release has now brought relief to his family, political allies, and residents of the council area, many of whom had been hoping for positive news since his abduction.
