66 -Year- Old Kidnapped Businessman Found Dead – Thisday
November 28, 2009 by tim
A 66 year old business man and a father of four, Nze Jerome Atusiaka, has been found dead and buried in a shallow grave in an uncompleted building one month after his kidnap by unknown gunmen.
Atusiaka who was kidnapped a fortnight ago by a four man gang at Memeh /Convent Street junction in Boji Boji Owa, in Ika North East local government area of Delta State was said to have been trailed from his business premises along Lagos / Asaba road in Ika Metropolis while returning home from work with his family members.
An eye witness account told THISDAY that Atusiaka ,who hailed from Agwuata Local Government Area of Anambra State was driving home at about 6:55pm along with his two sons and a business associate when four armed youths forcefully took him into an unmarked Toyota Camry car. THISDAY gathered that the kidnappers had demanded N50 million ransoms from the victim.
It was also gathered that they only reduced it to three million naira but the inability of the family members to raise the money prompted the kidnappers to collect three hundred thousandnaira, but still killed him.
Mr. Emeka Atusiaka , one of the sons of Mr. Atusiaka told THISDAY that, while their negotiation and conversation with the kidnappers lasted , they were not giving the opportunity to speak with their Dad raising their fear that the worst may have befalling him, adding that soon after the kidnap incident , the police and the State Security Services was alerted.
He further stated that the combined efforts of the police and State Security Services led to the arrest of four suspects in connection with the abduction, and that they are currently in police custody.
However, family members of Atusiaka have raised eyebrows over the circumstances surrounding the kidnap and murder of the father, saying that “some powerful individuals, who wanted to settle old scores with their father may be behind the dastardly act”.
Delta State Police Commissioner, Mr. Yakubu Alkali who spoke through the public relations officer, Mr. Charles Muka, while confirming the development , said “ we have three suspects in our custody in respect of the kidnap nad murderr of one Jeromo Atusiaka , the body of the victime was recovered in a shallow grave in Agbor”.
Delta State Police Commissioner, Mr. Yakubu Alkali who spoke through the public relations officer, Mr. Charles Muka, while confirming the development , said “ we have three suspects in our custody in respect of the kidnap nad murderr of one Jeromo Atusiaka , the body of the victime was recovered in a shallow grave in Agbor”.
