BREAKING: Abducted Sapele Council Boss Regains Freedom

Hon. Bright Abeke, abducted council chairman of Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State, , has regained his freedom.

Abeke was reportedly released eleven days after he was seized by unknown gunmen at his hotel along Owumi Road in Sapele.

Armed men who abducted him shot sporadically after they invaded the hotel, injured a local vigilantes and his security detail.

Although details of his release are still sketchy, the released council chairman was seen in a viral photo with the chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Area, Olorogun Jaro Egbo.

State Police Public Relations Officer SP Bright Edafe was yet to respond to the reported release of the council boss but security agencies led by the Delta State Police Command have been on the trail of the captors since the incident happened on April 10.

The release is coming few hours after hundreds of local government employees, on Monday protested at Sapele, calling on the State Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi and other security agencies to expedite action on the rescue of the abducted Sapele local government council chairman, Hon. Bright Abeke.

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The protesters, who staged the peaceful protest under the auspices of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) Delta state chapter and Sapele NULGE LGA chapter, demanded the unconditional release of the council chairman by his captors.

The council chairman was kidnapped since April 10 and since then no communication have been established with his abductors.

The Delta State NULGE led by its State President Comrade Ogberetitinor Obatarhe alongside the Sapele chapter Chairperson, Comrade Mrs Mercy Igeyen, after the union’s congress held in Sapele, protested around the council Secretariat, demanding the immediate release of the council boss.

“There’s pain, there is sadness allover rhe local government since the abduction of the council chairman, a man who has taken out poverty from our people since he assumed office. That’s why you will see that in every one of us there are tears in our eyes.

“We are here to tell you to tell the security agencies to up their game, we know they’re trying their best and we know they’re working so hard but they need to work more to ensure the release of the council chairman”, Obatarhe appealed.

The NULGE congress was attended by political office holders, appointees and councilors led by Speaker of the legislative arm, Rt Hon Samuel Azu whom unanimously appealed to the kidnappers to release the council boss.

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Before the protesters who bore various placards went round the premises, they offered prayers for the safe release of the abducted council chairman.

They also staged a solidarity walk around the secretariat down to the chairman’s office where the Secretary to the local government council, Hon Raymond Overah received and addressed them.

Speaking on behalf of the Sapele legislative arm, Hon Azu and Clark of the legislative arm, Pastor Happy Overah lend their voices to that of the workers begging for the safe release of the Chairman.