The Kidnapped Anambra State-born native doctor, Chidozie Nwangwu popularly known as Akwa Okuko Tiwaraki, has been released by his abductors after the alleged payment of N350 million ransom.
Nigerian Tribune gathered that the native doctor, who is popular for flaunting his wealth on social media was released early Saturday morning.
A source said friends and well-wishers are currently gathering in his palatial mansion to welcome him.
“He was released very early this morning. He is currently celebrating with his friends and well-wishers in his house in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area of the State.
Another source who claims to know him said his abductors allegedly demanded N300 million before he could be released.
“His friends rallied round and raised the money for the abductors, but they demanded an additional N50 million, which was also delivered to them before he was released,” the source said.
Police authorities in Anambra confirmed the release of the native doctor.
The State Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga said: “Yes, he has been released this morning. We are waiting to debrief him, with a view to getting his experience and clue of who the abductors are, so that we can go after them.”
When asked if he was aware that ransom was paid to his abductors for his release, Ikenga decided to keep mute.
Akwa Okuko Tiwaraki, the famous native doctor was kidnapped six days ago in his hotel. Two of his personal security men were gunned to death, and the native doctor was taken.
Many blamed his showy lifestyle on social media, where he displays exotic cars, buildings and jewellery, as the reason for his kidnap.
Some others blamed him for being unable to save himself from being kidnapped, even when he has severally boasted of his powers and the potency of his charms.
Akwa Okuko Tiwaraki had in just one year, in 2022, built and launched two exotic hotels, including Triple P Hotel, where he was kidnapped on Sunday night. He is said to be the richest native doctor in Nigeria.
Recounting his experience in the hands of his abductors to his friends and well-wishers, Nwangwu, more popularly known as Akwa Okuko Tiwaraki, which means the egg that cracks palm kernel, said: “Let me tell you all what happened. While I was in the kidnappers’ den, I listened to the radio and saw how people were speaking all kinds of rubbish, so I decided to set the record straight.
“What really happened was that I was there (at home) that day, at around 11:30, when someone named Okey Japan called me and said there were at my hotel, and that they were spending money, and had spent close to N300,000, and that they would have wanted me to be around.
“I obliged them and drove to the hotel all by myself, in my new car. No one came with me. I was there, and not up to 30 minutes, gunshot rented the air. People started running Helter Skelter. I now went out to see what happening, and the people started shooting at me.
“They killed two of my security men. I don’t want to reveal much now, but I know that two things can only save a man. If your charms don’t save you, your money will save you.
“Anyone who has charms should have money. So the people took me into their car. If I wanted to run away, I would have run away, but I have seen those that were shot, and I said if I leave, they will kill many people. A lot of people were lying down, and if I wanted to leave, they would have killed many.
“The story too would have been that the whole thing started when I came in, meaning that I was the one who brought in kidnappers. I decided to follow them to show that my hands are clean. What I did was to save many souls. If you think they took me because I ate people’s money, but let me tell you I did not. If I eat your money, come to me I will give you money because I have money.
“People may be rejoicing that it happened to me, but let me tell you, if the death that killed the rich, encounters the poor, it will crush him.
“This whole thing is related to this sit-at-home people, and they mentioned names of more people they will take, but it’s not something I can say now. They killed many in front of me. They killed up to 20 people before me. I did not take anyone’s money, they just came to kidnap and their target is people who have money. They wanted to kidnap as many as 50 people from my hotel that day, but I rather followed them,” the witch doctor said.
