Mr. Monday Ekoriko, the Principal-General (P-G) of Madonna Community Secondary School (MCSS), Oruk Anam local government area, has regained freedom after spending 14 days in captivity.

Ekoriko, a church leader of the United Evangelical Church (UEC), was seized by armed hoodlums, who stormed his Udianga Enem country home in Etim Ekpo LGA on September 4, and whisked away, using his Lexus SUV, which was later abandoned at the Ekparakwa axis of Oruk Anam LGA.

Although the kidnappers demanded N50 million, our correspondent gathered that N4.2 million was eventually paid to secure his release.

Speaking to Blueprint correspondent, Tuesday, Ekoriko said he was subjected to death threats throughout the period of his travails in the forest in a bid to compel him to quickly raise the ransom.

“They took me from their camp, tied my face with black ribbon and escorted me out of the forest and dropped me somewhere in a community in Mkpat Enin LGA at about 12:10 am this morning. From there, I did not immediately know where I was because there was no single person at that hour of the night.

“I started trekking and jogging from there towards Ekparakwa axis and headed towards Ukanafun LGA when my eyes became clearer.

“At Ukanafun, I was able to connect my friend, who drove me to my compound, Udianga Enem in Etim Ekpo LGA,” he recalled.

Ekoriko said he was fed with beans, eba and fruits, especially cucumber during the two weeks in captivity.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Odiko Macdon, assured that “despite the release, the command will stop at nothing to ensure that the perpetrators are arrested and brought to book.”