Soludo's Family Denies Alleged N10m Ransom
From Uzoma Nzeagwu - Awka
ABDUCTORS of Pa Simeon Soludo, father of Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the 2010 election in Anambra State were not paid any ransom, family has insisted. Pa Soludo returned to his Isuofia country home to the warm embrace of his family.
Besides, a police source who spoke on grounds that his name should not be in print confirmed that five suspects have been arrested in connection with the kidnapping, while the sixth suspect escaped.
The officer however denied that any ransom was paid to secure Pa Soludo's release, although there speculations that the family may have paid N10million to the kidnappers to secure the release of the septuagenarian who was dumped at Uga, a neighbouring area to his Isuofia community in Aguata Local council and later picked up by a police team.
He also confirmed that he was picked up at Uga at about 11p.m on Wednesday, but feigned ignorance of any ransom paid for his release.
The state Police Public Relations Officer Mr. Emeka Chukwuemeka however, assured that policemen would do everything possible to bring the culprits to book.
The Soludo family and the police have not been talking much on the matter even as journalists who visited Pa Soludo's home at Isuofia yesterday were barred by a detachment of police officers and men guarding the compound from taking photographs of the freed older Soludo.
It was learnt that the N10million ransom was dropped for the kidnappers at Oko community to effect Pa Soludo's release at Uga.
Younger brother of the former CBN chief, Ogochukwu said he was not aware that any ransom was paid. "I just came back from Abuja; I have not seen my father, so there is no way I can know if ransom was paid," he said.
The family has also denied allegations that they knew the whereabouts of their father but was merely pointing accusing fingers at his political foes. To this Ogochukwu replied: "Everyone knows that the Soludo family is not that kind of family. We cannot play politics with things like that. Only a few families in Anambra will do that, and the Soludo family is certainly not among them."
He continued: "Really, if someone tells me that to my face, I will be very upset." He insisted that he was coming home to take his father to the hospital for a medical check up.
