by Akan Ido
Actresss Nkiru Sylvanus who was abducted last Saturday alongside former Mr. Nigeria, Kenneth Okolie have been released.
Sylvanus, the special assistant to the governor of Imo State on public affairs was kidnapped while on location in Owerri, the state capital.
Reports say both victims were dropped by their abductors at an unknown location.
The release was reportedly confirmed by the president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Ibinabo Fibresima, but it is, however, not clear if any ransom was paid for their release.
There were widespread rumours that the kidnappers had demanded a N100m ransom for their release.
This release came after a group of entertainers wrote an open letter to the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, urging him to ensure the release of kidnapped entertainers speedily.
In the open letter titled, “Nollywood Actors’ Kidnap: Please Bring our Colleagues back Home for Christmas”, the entertainers express worry over the delay in rescuing the abductees.
It read in part: “It is even more worrisome and befuddling considering that these actors’ kidnap is coming just days after the Police, under your distinguished leadership, valiantly and commendably went all out for the kidnapped 82-year-old mother of the coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr (Mrs.) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. The result, as we all know, is that Prof. Kamene Okonjo was returned home hale and hearty, thanks to the police, your police.
“Are Sylvanus and Okolie lesser citizens? Are they no longer Nigerians about whose safety you should be bothered? Don’t they deserve the kind of police attention that Professor Okonjo got? Does kidnap have another name? Or, has Nigeria been reduced to George Orwell’s Animal Farm where some animals are more equal than others?”
The letter was signed by friends of Sylvanus and Okorie, including the producer of BON Awards, Seun Oloketuyi; journalist, Stella Dimoko-Korkus; Nollywood actresses Ify okeke, Halima Abubakar, Mercy Aigbe, Laide Bakare, Grace Amah, Ogechi Asiegbu and Jane Odigboh.
Others are Gbenga Adeyinka, Elenu and model, Brian Okwara.
Nice updates
thank God 4 dia safty.