Two Ghanaian businessmen who were kidnapped by armed men in Nigeria have been rescued through a collaborative effort between the security forces of Ghana and Nigeria.
The two, Francis Awuzah of Rapid Oil Company Limited in Cape Coast and his cousin, Felix Doku, were in Nigeria to inspect eight companies which had applied to supply palm oil to Rapid Oil's mother company in Germany. On arrival in Lagos, however, they were allegedly kidnapped and taken to Benin City, from where their captors demanded a $100,000 ransom from their employers in Ghana before their release.
But after two weeks in captivity, they were rescued by the coalition of Ghana-Nigeria forces.
Police sources said when the Ghanaians were captured, they called their employers, who in turn informed INTERPOL in Accra. The organisation informed its counterpart in Lagos and last Sunday the kidnapped men were traced to Edo State in Nigeria where they were rescued.
The suspects, however, managed to escape but one of them, who gave his name only as Friday, was arrested and he is currently assisting the police in their investigations.
The two have since returned to Ghana and been re-united with their families.
According to the Deputy Director General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, ACOP Ken Yeboah, directors of the mother company in Germany established a business contract with eight Nigerian companies which were to supply the company with palm oil.
The German company requested the Ghana office to send a representative to Nigeria for feasibility studies before the contract with the Nigerians would be sealed.
He said on October 23, 2007, Mr Awuzah was asked to proceed to Nigeria and he also asked his cousin Doku to accompany him. On arrival in Lagos, they called the contact person who directed them to pick a vehicle to Benin City where they would be met by a gentleman called Sam.
The two managed to get to their destination and were taken to a house where they were informed that they had been kidnapped, so they should call Ghana for a ransom of $100,000 to be paid or be killed.
Source: Daily Graphic
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
Latest Stories
-
Kasia Coal releases holiday anthem ‘Feliz Navidad’
13 minutes -
American Airlines grounds all US flights on busy Christmas Eve
20 minutes -
UNICEF urges Ghana to prioritise TVET investment to address youth unemployment
22 minutes -
Businessman to plead guilty in NY Mayor Adams’ corruption case
26 minutes -
Black Sherif stamps authority with aura as high as his shoulder pads at ‘Zaama Disco’ concert
29 minutes -
Let go AFCON qualification woes and back Black Stars in World Cup qualifiers – Joseph Paintsil
31 minutes -
The US town where it’s the law to own a gun
41 minutes -
We must maintain the credibility of our electoral system – Dr. Bossman Asare
2 hours -
World Cup 2026: Support us in upcoming qualifiers – Ghana forward Joseph Paintsil to fans
2 hours -
WAEC to release 2024 WASSCE results by December 29 – Education Minister
2 hours -
Policy rate to fall to 22.5% in 2025 – Deloitte
3 hours -
Omane Boamah blasts ‘criminal and biased’ EC for justifying re-collation decision
3 hours -
UPSA alumnus files injunction against investiture of incoming VC
3 hours -
Cedi to end 2024, 2025 at GH¢16.07, GH¢17.23 to one dollar – EIU
3 hours -
How Salah’s stats rank among Premier League greats
3 hours