Deputy Managing Director (DMD) of The Sun Steve Nwosu yesterday appealed to the abductors of his wife, Toyin, to release her.
He made the appeal at his Ago Palace Way, Okota, Lagos residence, while addressing reporters on the early Monday morning incident.
A distraught Nwosu described himself as a poor journalist, who does not have the N100 million ransom being demanded by the abductors.
He said the abductors were yet to contact the family again.
“Apart from yesterday’s (Monday) contact they established with me, the abductors of my wife have not made any other calls.
“At the moment, it is deadlocked and they have refused to cooperate.
“I have left everything to God. All I would say is that I am a poor journalist and do not have the kind of money they are demanding,” he said.
The kidnap has sparked public outrage, with many calling on security agencies to live up to their responsibilities.
A journalist, Lanre Idowu, said the incident was a reminder that insecurity still persists.
He said: “It is terrible and surprising. It is a green reminder that we are still in insecure times.”
A lawyer and activist, Giwa Amu, called for the enforcement of maximum punishment for kidnappers.
“In criminal law, kidnapping is the taking away or transportation of a person against that person’s will. It is also the crime of unlawfully seizing and carrying away a person by force or fraud.”
Also, the former Abia State governor and The Sun publisher, Orji Kalu, described the act as evil.
In a statement, Kalu said: “The abduction is unfortunate and disturbing. The journalist and his family live a modest life and are law abiding citizens and as such don’t deserve this dreadful treatment.”
The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), in a statement by its spokesman, Salabiu Aderemi Alli, said Mrs. Nwosu did not deserve such ill-treatment.
There are speculations that the kidnappers may be linked to the armed gang that has terrorised commercial banks in various parts of the state.
The speculation arose as a result of the modus operandi adopted by the abductors, which observers fear, appeared similar to those of the robbers.
Police spokesman Joseph Offor said he could not comment on if they were members of the same gang.
“I do not know about this insinuation but I will pass it on to the investigation department.
“The command is working at ensuring that Mrs. Nwosu is rescued and reunited with her family,” he said.
