Delta Man Abducted While Delivering Ransom To Free Kidnapped Brother, Family Claims

A student of Delta State University, Abraka Campus, alongside his brother, has been released by kidnappers after days in captivity.

The kidnappers had first abducted Clinton Utomudo on May 22 from his residence in Abraka, and subsequently demanded N200m for his release.

The family, residing in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, had negotiated the ransom to N150m, N80m, N50m and then N10m.

Utomudo’s sister, Jazmine, who tearfully narrated the incident to human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu, had asked for assistance. The family pleaded to pay N3m ransom, which they raised for his release.

The kidnappers, Jazmine revealed, demanded the N3m in cash. However, his brother in Abraka, Joshua Utomudo, was also abducted while trying to deliver the ransom.

The assailants demanded fresh N10m to release the second brother, and N4m balance for the first victim.

Appealing for assistance, Jazmine said, “The police are not trying to help. My senior brother has been going to the police, in and out and they are not saying anything. I called SP Bright Edafe, and he hasn’t given me feedback.”

On Wednesday, Gwamnishu revealed that he had advised the family of the victims to suspend payment of ransoms to the kidnappers.

“Yesterday (Tuesday) the family called me to assist them,” Gwamnishu said while showing his conversation with the kidnapper, convincing them to release the victims as no one would confidently agree to deliver the ransom after the second kidnap.

“At 11pm yesterday (Tuesday), they released them,” Gwamnishu revealed, calling on the Delta State Government to enhance measures in ensuring the protection of lives, particularly in Abraka where there are growing concerns surrounding kidnap operations and hideouts.