The nephew of former Governor Peter Odili of Nigeria’s oil state of Rivers, who was kidnapped by unknown gunmen on Sunday, has been freed unharmed, the police said Wednesday. Eni was kidnapped by gunmen dressed in police uniform while leaving a church in the state capital, Port Harcourt, in the company of his wife and children. Though the local press reported that the abductors later demanded a huge ransom for his release, the state police boss, Felix Ogbaudu, said he was not aware of any ransom payment. On Tuesday, two toddlers from the same parents were also kidnapped in the city, which has now become notorious for abductions. The police said no group had claimed responsibility for their abduction.
Over 340 people, including 11 children and five women, have been kidnapped in the oil region within the past year, but almost all were released unharmed. Panapress
