By Abimbola Ogunnaike
Famous Anambra State-born native doctor, Chidozie Nwangwu, who was kidnapped last Sunday and released early on the morning of Saturday, 29 July, 2023, has recounted his ordeal in the hands of his abductors.
Nwangwu, popularly known as Akwa Okuko Tiwaraki, narrating his experience to friends and well-wishers, 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 they 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 only two things can only save a man. If your charms do not 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 were clean. What I did was to save many souls. If you think they took me because I ate people’s money, 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.
Many had alleged that his kidnap had to do with many of his patrons who were disappointed that his money-making ritual did not work for them, thereby seeking a way to get at him and get back their money.
Recall that the Anambra State Police spokesman, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed his release on Saturday, 29 July, 2023
Ikenga said that the popular native doctor was released by his abductors in the early hours of Saturday.
Tiwaraki was kidnapped around 11:30pm on Sunday, July 23 at his Triple P Hotel in Oba, Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.
Ikenga, who did not disclose the amount his abductors collected said the abductors reached out to the native doctor’s colleagues and some money was paid to them before he was freed.
“I have the information that his abductors have contacted friends and relatives and demanded some millions.
“I also have information that his abductors are demanding some specific amount which I have not gotten the accurate figure, the state police image maker said.
“According to speculation, they said it’s between N200 million and N300million. We are making efforts to get in touch with him and also get accurate information surrounding his abduction.
“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,” he added.
It was also gathered that friends and well-wishers are currently gathering in his palatial mansion to welcome him.
