‘Two months in captivity’ — family of abducted retired PPEB director seeks Egbetokun’s intervention

The family of Emmanuel Ofobrukueta, the abducted retired director of the Post-Primary Education Board (PPEB) in Delta state, has called on Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police (IGP), to secure his freedom.

Ofobrukueta was kidnapped on January 12 at his residence in Mosogar, near Sapele, Delta state.

The family said the retired civil servant was kidnapped a day before his scheduled trip to Asaba, the state capital, to process his pension payment.

In a letter addressed to Egbetokun and signed by Frank Tietie, a lawyer, the family expressed concern over Ofobrukueta’s prolonged captivity, lamenting that despite efforts by the Delta police command, he has been in the kidnappers’ den more than two months after his abduction.

“The Delta State Police Command appears to be overwhelmed by the kidnappers’ tactics in this case,” the letter reads.

Addressing a press conference on behalf of the family in Abuja on Friday, Tietie urged the IGP to “urgently” secure Ofobrukueta’s release.

“The case should be escalated and given the appropriate attention it requires. We think that he would be rescued if the police in Delta state deploy sufficient resources in terms of manpower and tracking his movements,” he said.

“Our frustration is that they seem to have abandoned the case. That is why we are appealing. The fact that ransom has been paid through someone when it was demanded was an ample opportunity to bust the kidnap gang.”

Tietie said having served the country meritoriously, the victim does not deserve to be left at the mercy of his abductors.