By Young E. Freeborn, Warri
The people of Unenurhie community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, resident in Lagos State, have called on their host state government and the Nigerian Police to immediately intervene to save one of their own, Miss Ese Efedudu, who was kidnapped by armed bandits on Monday 25 November, 2024 while on her way to work.
The call, which was made by the President of the Unenurhie Community Development Union (UCDU), Lagos Branch, Mr. James Okparikpu, urged the Lagos State government “to do all within its power to ensure Efedudu’s immediate release,” adding that the kidnappers had demanded for the sum of five million naira as ransom.
A call for financial support was also made to all members of Unenurhie community in Lagos State and other parts of the country “to try their possible best to raise the money as fast as possible” in order to save the life of their daughter from the hands of the kidnappers.
In a telephone chat with our correspondent, Mr. Okparikpu said, “Today, I reach out to all Unenurhie people and the general public with a heavy heart as I make this urgent plea. Our beloved daughter, Miss Ese Efedudu has been been kidnapped since on Monday, 25th November, 2024.
“The kidnappers are demanding a ransom of N5,000,000.00 (five million naira) for her release. They have also threatened to kill her if nothing is done between now and Monday morning.
“As a community and a family, we are devastated and terrified for her safety. Every moment that passes look like an eternity, and our hearts ache with worry. We know the times we are in this country, and we also know that no amount of money can replace the joy our daughter will bring to our us and that is why we are willing to do anything to bring her home safely.
“She is a bright soul, filled with bright dreams and great hope, and her absence just these few days has left us void. And we can only imagine what she has been going through for almost a week now; it is heartbreaking. We understand that times are tough for many in this country at the moment, but any contribution, no matter how small can make a difference in our desperate fight to bring her back,” he said.
Okparikpu said contributions towards her release can be made to: Opay, 7031250781, Efemena Frederick Efedudu.