BREAKING: Kidnappers Finally Release Delta Ex-Commissioner After Huge Ransom
The kidnapped former Delta State Commissioner for Technical Education, Joan Mrakpor, has been released by her abductors.
Ibom Focus gathered that a yet-to-be-disclosed huge amount of money was allegedly paid as a ransom before she was released on Friday night.
A source who confirmed the release of the former House of Assembly and House Representatives member, disclosed that former governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, and the Delta State government played vital roles towards her release.
“You know initially the kidnappers demanded a ransom of N1billion from the family and the family said they didn’t have such huge amount of money. The family begged for a lesser amount of money and at the end of the day, a compromise was reached and ransom was paid and she was released,” the source stated.
Mrakpor was appointed by former governor Okowa as Director General, the Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency.
When contacted on Friday night on the release of Mrakpor, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed her release to SaharaReporters but he however declined further details.
Few days ago, the kidnappers had demanded a ransom of N1billion as condition for Mrakpor’s release, Ibom Focus learnt.
A trusted source, speaking on condition of anonymity to SaharaReporters, had on Thursday revealed that a connection has been made between the family of the kidnapped former commissioner and her abductors.
The source, who was assisting the family in securing her release, disclosed that the kidnappers were demanding a ransom of N1 billion to free her.
The former House of Assembly and House Representatives member was kidnapped on July, 30, 2024 by armed men at her church, ‘King Jesus and I’ off DBS Road in Asaba around 4pm.
According to reports, the gunmen who ambushed Mrakpor opened fire indiscriminately to disperse the crowd before abducting her and escaping via a speedboat waiting at the River Niger.
The attack resulted in the deaths of two police orderlies and a POS operator, who was allegedly struck by a stray bullet. Mrakpor had previously resigned from her position to allow her younger brother to run for chairman of the Aniocha South Local Government Council.
Her resignation followed a series of protests against her, sparked by her brother’s interest in the chairmanship while she held a state cabinet position.
