Suspected Ritualists Kidnap Teenager

Suspected ritualists have kidnapped a teenager who was sent on an errand by her father in Otukpo Local Government Area,  Benue State, Northcentral Nigeria.

The victim’s father, Mr. Onyuna Omale, who lives at 1, Harrison Adoga Street, Otukpo, told P.M.NEWS that he gave his daughter money to buy bathroom slippers in Otukpo Main Market only to later hear that she has been kidnapped by suspected ritualists.

Anne Queen Omale, 18, who had just finished from Wesley High School, Otukpo alerted her family that she has been  taken to an unknown  destination  by suspected  ritualists through a text message.

She wrote: “After I picked a motorcycle to go to the market, I later found myself in another state. I did not know how I got there. I heard one of the men said they are going to use me for money. Tell my mother to pray for me and others.”

Omale, 54, also told P.M.NEWS that the kidnappers have not called or demanded for any ransom from the family but instead told his daughter that they are looking for young people between 5 and 15 years to use for  money rituals.

He said the commercial motorcycle rider may have hypnotised his daughter after which he handed her over to ritualists.

Omale  has since reported the matter to the police and the vigilante in the area, as residents troop to his house to symphatise with him

Anne’s mother, Ajuma, her 22-year old sister, Blessing and his 17-year old younger brother, Oche, who spoke in tears said they are praying fervently for the release of Queen.

Meanwhile, all efforts to get police’s reaction about the case failed as neither the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Daniel Ezeala, nor his assistant, ASP Alaribe Ejike, picked their calls at press time Tuesday.