The family of Nollywood actress and Special Assistant to Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, Nkiru Sylvanus, paid N8 million as ransom before she was released by her kidnappers, the police said on Friday.
The Commissioner, Imo State Police Command, Baba Adisa Bolanta, said the payment of the N8 million by Sylvanus’s family was against the advice of the police.
Bolanta said the family was told specifically not to negotiate or pay any ransom to the abductors.
He said: “Initially, the family paid N7 million to the kidnappers and the police, who laid ambush, swooped on them at the point of collection and recovered the money that was locked in the trunk of their car as they escaped.
“We brought a lot of pressure on them and they were jittery and could no longer contact the family members.
“After we returned the money to the family, they went behind us and paid N8 milliom to the kidnappers.
“Surprisingly, I saw Nkiru in my office after she was released and I was told they paid N8 million to secure her release.”
The police boss, however, said the chase for the kidnappers was not over.
He said the police would nab them soon.
He said: “Let me assure you that this will not go unresolved like previous cases.
“Anyone involved will be brought to book.
“We have made some arrests and very soon the ones that are at large will be apprehended.”
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