• Says kidnappers asked her to make last phone call
By Sunday Ani
A mother of four children, Mrs. Ugochukwu Chikelue, has narrated how operatives of the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS) rescued her from the kidnappers’ den last week Friday, where she was tied up and waiting to be slaughtered.
Narrating her ordeals with the kidnappers, Mrs Chikeluen who hails from Umueri in Anambra East Local Government Area said she saw death the kidnappers tied her hands and legs before taking her to a certain river bank, where she was asked to make her last phone call to determine whether she would continue to live or be thrown into the river to die.
She said she was shocked when suddenly, the kidnappers abandoned her and took to their heels, adding that seconds later, she was surrounded by operatives of the NHFSS who took her to safety.
The freed woman also mentioned the name of the Deputy Commander General of the NHFSS (Special Service), Dr. John Metchie, whom she said was behind the intervention that led to her rescue.
Asked to explain the role played by Metchie, who is also the African Director, International Association of World Peace Advocates, IAWPA, Mrs Chikelue said she did not have details but she was told by the NHFSS operatives that it was Metchie’s intervention that saved her.
Reacting to the development, Dr. John Metchie, who is also the Prime Minister of the Anambra State Association of Town Unions, ASATU, said he had to intervene when intelligence got to him that a woman from his community was in the hands of criminals.
In a statement by his media office on Monday, Metchie said he received intel about the woman’s ordeal and being the President General of Umueri Community, he had to take immediate action by activating all the security channels available.
“Immediately I got the intelligence information, I had to activate all available security channels. We had to alert the Police, the Army, the DSS and other relevant agencies and stakeholders.
“I also called Abuja to inform my boss, the Commander General of NHFSS, Amb Joshua Osatimehin. Following his instructions, we had to quickly mobilise the NHFSS operatives in the state to move to the area. The rest is history.
“It was a swift operation that paid off immediately, as the woman was rescued in a record time and reconnected with her family,” Metchie said.
Metchie who declined to answer questions on whether any ransom was paid to the kidnappers, also thanked the Nigeria Police and other security agencies for prompt response, and readiness to take proactive action to rescue the kidnapped woman.