A woman, identified as Mrs Agnes Odo, from Ezimo, in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, has passed on just a day after she regained freedom from kidnappers.
The sad development occurred as the family of the deceased urged the government, especially the Udenu Local Government, to redouble efforts to tackle insecurity (kidnapping) in the locality rather than dishing out false claims of having rescued victims through the “pragmatic efforts” of the Chairman, whereas “families of victims contributed money for random.”
The late Mrs Odo was among the seven burial guests kidnapped in Ezimo-Agu community one week ago. It was, however, gathered that after regaining freedom, she passed on in a hospital in Nsukka, Enugu State.
Our correspondent reports that her freedom, alongside six others, became a subject of controversy after it was celebrated by the authorities of Udenu Local Government Area. This is as the family members of the victims insisted that they paid ransom to secure their freedom.
However, amid the controversy, Mrs Odo passed on a day later. According to a popular social media influencer, Chijinkem Ugwuanyi, in a post on his Facebook Page: “Sad One…she was among the 14 victims kidnapped at Ezimo-Agu in Udenu LGA Area 7 days ago.
“After one week in captivity, the family raised money and paid for the ransom. She was released on Friday, and yesterday she died in the hospital.” Meanwhile, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the area, Mr. Hillary Onah, while mourning the loss of the woman, lamented that her only offence was attending a burial ceremony in her hometown.
He also tackled the local government authority for claiming that the victims were rescued through the Chairman’s “pragmatic efforts.” He urged the Chairman to collaborate with senior figures from the local government area to find a lasting solution, stressing that repeatedly paying ransom or claiming unverified rescue operations cannot resolve the persistent security crisis.
