‘Kidnappers demanded N30m for rescued Ogude’s wife’

Memunat, wife of Super Eagles star Fegor Ogude, was rescued in the late hours of Sunday with the intervention of the State Security Service, a close source has revealed to TheCable.

Peterson Itiowu, the footballer’s cousin, told TheCable that security officials encouraged the family to negotiate with the kidnappersbut refrain from making any financial commitment to them.

According to him, there were more than one set of people claiming to be the kidnappers and they demanded the sum of N30m before she could be released.

“There were more than one group talking to us,” Itiowu said.

“They were demanding N30m before she could be released but we did not agree on any amount. The security service told us not to.”

Itiowu added that the family continued the negotiation just to lead the criminals on, to provide the lead for the security officials.

Having located the hideouts of the kidnappers in Okwokoro – a local suburb in Warri, Delta state, Nigeria – the DSS intercepted them and rescued Ogude’s wife.

Itiowu confirmed that she was in the hospital recovering from the ordeal suffered in the hands of kidnappers, and that she was unharmed.

Fegor’s Russian club, Amkar Perm, granted the player a compassionate leave on Sunday to join his wife whilst the rest of the team travelled to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the start of their winter training.

“The team set off in full, except for Fegor Ogude, which the club has provided additional leave due to his current situation,” a statement from the club said.

Memunat was kidnapped when the assailants stormed their home in Warri on January 4.