Suspected kidnappers have reportedly killed a councillor representing Ogugu Ward III in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, Hon. Rosemary Adukwu, days after her abduction.
Hon. Adukwu was said to be on her way to Onitsha market on September 30 when the kidnappers intercepted the commercial vehicle she boarded around the Oji River axis, between Enugu and Anambra states.
The assailants reportedly dragged the councillor out of the vehicle and whisked her to their hideout in a forest.
A week after the abduction, the Chairman of Olamaboro Local Government Area, Dr. Ameh Williams, announced her death in a statement on Friday.
The statement read: “It is with deep sorrow that we announce the sudden demise of our dear sister and colleague, Hon. Mrs Rosemary Adukwu, the honourable councillor representing the good people of Ogugu Ward III in the eighth Olamaboro Legislative Council.”
The chairman said the death was confirmed on Thursday while she was still in captivity.
However, the family of the deceased raised concerns over the circumstances of the incident, alleging that the kidnappers singled out the councillor, left other passengers untouched, and did not contact the family for ransom until her death was announced.
A family source said it was while tracking the victim’s phone number that a receiver disclosed she had died in captivity.
The source said: “Hon. Rosemary Adukwu used to board this particular driver’s vehicle to Onitsha market to restock her business. On 30th September, she left for Onitsha after confirming from her usual driver that the market would hold on 1st October.
“At the boundary community between Enugu and Anambra states, precisely around Oji River, their vehicle ran into a barricade mounted by some people. Thereafter, the hoodlums dragged only her out of the vehicle and took her to an unknown destination. The other passengers continued their journey untouched.
“Her abductors did not contact the family for ransom for almost a week. Confused, the family contacted security operatives who tracked her cellphone. On Thursday, a voice announced while receiving the call that the owner of the phone is dead.”
According to the source, the driver of the vehicle and the person who received the victim’s phone call had been arrested and were assisting operatives with investigation.
Meanwhile, the President-General and National Executive of Ogugu District Union (ODU), Deacon Samuel Ige Agada, condemned the “kidnapping and brutal killing” of the councillor, describing it as barbaric.
Agada said: “Hon. Adukwu was a dedicated grassroots leader, a hardworking businesswoman and a devoted mother and wife who was only striving to earn a living for her family. This is a painful loss not only to her family and Ogugu Ward III, but to UBELE District, Ogugu Chiefdom, Olamaboro LGA and Kogi State at large. We condemn this barbaric act in its totality.”
The spokesperson for the Kogi State Police Command, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, did not respond to inquiries on the incident as at the time of filing this report.