N300M, GUBER AMBITION OR YOUR WIFE, KIDNAPPERS TELL EWANG

Wife of the former military administrator of Ogun and Rivers States, Mrs Comfort Sam Ewang has spent four days with kidnappers and there are no indications that she may soon regain her freedom.

The distraught husband Capt. Sam Ewang told Daily Sun on phone that his wife's kidnap might have been politically masterminded as he had been asked to drop his gubernatorial ambition or lose his wife forever.

Mrs Ewang was abducted from her school, Beulah International Academy last Thursday. The school is situated in Ekom Iman Etinan, about 10 kilometers from Uyo. Ewang said the kidnappers had asked him to drop his gubernatorial aspiration if he ever wanted to see his wife alive.

The former administrator told Daily Sun that he had been in contact with the hoodlums who also gave him telephone access to the wife. Even if he drops his aspiration which he publicly declared last week, the retired airforce officer may not still see his wife until he parts with a whopping N300 million ransom.

Asked whether he was ready for the kidnappers' demands, Ewang said, 'when we reach that bridge we will cross it. I had told them to rather come and pick me and free my wife.' He said the police high command had given the state command directives to secure his wife's release with immediate effect. He added however that he had reservations on the ability of the police to successfully perform that function.

The state police commissioner, Mr Walter Rugbere, who finally confirmed Mrs Ewang's abduction, said the police were leaving no stone unturned to free the former first lady of Rivers and Ogun States . 'We have searched the usual places and we are now going to search the unusual places. If she in this state, I'm sure we will secure her release within the next few days.'

Rugbere said he had yet to meet Ewang one-to-one to discuss the issue. 'I went to his house and I only met the gateman. I believe he will cooperate with the police so that we can work successfully.' The state chairman of the CNPP, Mr Chief David Ekanem described the incident, especially as it was linked to peoples' political aspirations as 'very unfortunate.'

Ewang had declared his gubernatorial aspiration on the platform of ANPP last week amidst controversies regarding the initial venue and factions within the party.