Cross River NLC Chairman, Ukpekpi’s kidnappers demand N150m ransom

The abductors of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman in Cross River State, Comrade Ben Ukpekpi have supposedly communicated to the family requesting N150m ransom.

As indicated by Top Naija, a source, who did not want to be named, disclosed that the abductors communicated with the family of Ukpekpi, NLC Chairman in Cross River State on Wednesday making their demand known.

Unfortunately, the Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Lawrence Achuta, when telephoned on Sunday, stated that the kidnappers had not made contact with the Union.

He said, “There is no contact yet, we are still waiting for them, to my knowledge, they have not contacted the NLC.”

Similarly, the previous Chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC) currently Secretary of TUC, Comrade Clarkson Otu bemoaned the non-release of the victim stating, “The emergence of kidnapping is a very worrisome and unfortunate development.

“It does appear that while the security agencies may be gaining some level of success in the city, the suburb like Akpabuyo is ignored Akpabuyo is now a haven for kidnappers, it means the operation Akpakwu has not covered Akpabuyo and kidnappers are there now.

“We thought we were out of it but fear is returning. Kidnapping is a security problem, we intended to go on strike, but we have allowed wise counsel to prevail because to push the government under pressure may jeopardise the rescue of our man.

“It will not help, it will create an impression that because the labour leader is abducted, the workers went on strike or down tools, it’s risky and could make the kidnappers say that this is a high profile man and demand more ransom.”