"The family of one of Nigeria’s top comedian and Nollywood actor John Okafor (Mr Ibu) have been kidnapped in Enugu State earlier this evening, NEXT has learnt.
This was confirmed in a short interview with a friend of the Okafors, who said they were kidnapped on their way home.
Mr Henry Oduenyi told NEXT that he had been on the phone with Mr Okafor, who said the car carrying members of his family and in laws was trailed from town. The kidnappers have also asked for a ransom of 50 million naira."
Today, in the report of the Daily Sun, I read this,
"The heavily armed kidnappers who invaded the Agbani Road, Enugu State home of top actor/comedian, John Okafor, famously known as Mr. Ibu and abducted his wife and one year old son, on Tuesday night have reduced their ransom demand.
A devastated Mr. Ibu, in a telephone chat with Daily Sun yesterday morning said the abductors had reduced the ransom from N50 million ealier demanded to N6 million, adding that they were also magnanimous enough to allow him speak with his frightened wife for a few seconds.
“In the spirit of New Year, my family and I are on our knees praying and begging these kidnappers to set my innocent wife and one-year-old baby free without any harm or ransom. They are now demanding N6 million; where will I get that huge amount from? I’m just an entertainer and peace-loving Nigerian who earns his normal wage by making people and their families happy. I wonder why this is happening to me in this New Year.
The kidnappers allowed my wife to speak briefly with me this morning, and throughout our conversations she and my one-year-old son were crying. I want Nigerians and our government to immediately come to my aid. I have done too much for this nation to deserve this kind of treatment. I want my family back without any harm or ransom,” Mr. Ibu cried.
“In the spirit of New Year, my family and I are on our knees praying and begging these kidnappers to set my innocent wife and one-year-old baby free without any harm or ransom. They are now demanding N6 million; where will I get that huge amount from? I’m just an entertainer and peace-loving Nigerian who earns his normal wage by making people and their families happy. I wonder why this is happening to me in this New Year.
The kidnappers allowed my wife to speak briefly with me this morning, and throughout our conversations she and my one-year-old son were crying. I want Nigerians and our government to immediately come to my aid. I have done too much for this nation to deserve this kind of treatment. I want my family back without any harm or ransom,” Mr. Ibu cried.
Mr Ibu we all know is a very very funny guy and he has made me laugh a couple of times. Once I see his face, I usually just start laughing even before a word comes out of his mouth. Which is why I am so upset at what these kidnappers have done. How do you go and kidnap the wife and one year old son of this happy-go-lucky guy? How dare you?
Mr Ibu is not laughing right now. In fact, he is very distraught. There are no jokes to crack that would wish this situation away. He loves his wife and child. I was just wondering how that certain things cannot simply be laughed off in an ‘Odieshi’ way. There are serious things in this life, such as the kidnapping of one's better half and one’s seed. Because if you say a wrong thing to the criminals on the phone, you just don’t know what they might do. In short, humor does have its limits eh?
I am also someone who addresses issues with lots of humor. In a bad situation, it helps me to think; it's not that serious. But I know that this particular situation will not get me laughing. As in, you won't even see my teeth. Think about it; your one year old son? I shudder to think. Imagine ChooChoo.....
I pray these people release Mr Ibu's family oh. It's not even funny....as in literally.
