Kidnappers Free Lulu-Briggs’ Wife, Abduct Professor Of Medicine

Bolaji Ogundele, Port Harcourt - 09.02.2008

Abductors of wife of oil magnate and philanthropist, Chief Benson Lulu-Briggs, in the early hours of yesterday, set free his wife, Chief (Mrs.) Seinye Lulu-Briggs.

But the release of Mrs. Lulu-Briggs at about 2:00am was preceded by yet another high profile abduction.

Late on Thursday evening, armed hoodlums stormed the home of Prof. Christian Anah and abducted him.

Circumstances surrounding the release of Chief (Mrs.) Seinye Lulu-Briggs were not clear as at press time.

The best information provided was by the President of the Ijaw Youth Congress (IYC), Dr. Chris Ekiyor, who said the release was effected by the efforts of Ijaw elders and youths.

Ekiyor, who was sighted amongst the dignitaries who called at the Lulu-Briggs residence at 17, Igbodo Street, Old GRA, Port Harcourt, around the same time of the vice president’s visit, said the IYC mounted pressure on the armed group behind the abduction.

“The IYC exerted so much pressure on the abductors that they had no other choice than to release her unconditionally. No ransom was paid,” Ekiyor said.

A statement earlier sent by Cynthia Whyte for the Joint Revolutionary Council (JRC), which condemned the abduction, had indicated that the abduction was carried out by one of its erstwhile affiliate groups, the Movement of the Niger Delta People (MONDP). It, however, has blacklisted the group from its fold.

In a related development, a group of armed men, late Thursday evening, stormed the Nkpolu/Rumuigbo home of Prof. Christian Anah and abducted him.