Eze Samuel Ohiri, the former Chairman of the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, has refuted social media reports suggesting that the Nigerian Police Force played a role in securing his release after being abducted by unknown gunmen.
Speaking at his palace, Eze Ohiri categorically denied any police involvement in his freedom, revealing that he personally paid an undisclosed ransom in two installments to secure his release.
The monarch, who spent 12 days in the kidnappers’ den, emphasized that during this period, the police made no attempts to rescue him. Addressing the misinformation circulating on social media, he stated, “I wouldn’t have opened up, but I have to act this time to tell the world the truth because of the viral social media report. I don’t like any organization hiding under government cloak to speak lies, deceive the society and self-aggrandize itself.”
Recounting his harrowing experience, Eze Ohiri explained that he had returned to celebrate the 2023 Christmas and 2024 New Year with his family and community in Obi Orodo, Mbaitoli Local Government Area, and Imo State. However, on January 6, 2024, he was abducted by a group he described as “merciless boys (men).”
He described the abduction, stating, “It was when I was coming back around 8:30 am, after visiting one of my old boys, who is an indigene of my community, that I, unfortunately, met able-bodied men within my palace, who came out from their vehicle and whisked me into their vehicle after a horrible struggle.”
Eze Ohiri went on to express gratitude that nobody was injured during the abduction, despite the armed men present. He highlighted the challenging 12 days spent with his abductors, mentioning that the negotiation for his release began when their leader intervened, recognizing him as a decent man.
He concluded, “Negotiation started at that point between my people and the kidnappers. It eventually resulted in my regaining my freedom after the first and second ransom was paid.”