Kidnapped Anambra politician freed after payment of ₦16m ransom, loses brother shortly after his release

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By Madu Obi

An Anambra politician, Hon. Ernest Okafor, who regained his freedom from kidnappers after payment of ₦16 million ransom by family, lost his brother shortly after his release.

Okafor, from Awa in Orumba North local government area, who was a former aspirant for the House of Representatives, was abducted in front of his house on his return from a political event on August 16.

But as the family was rejoicing over his release,

his elder brother, Chief Okwuchukwu Okafor, who, until his death, was the chairman of Market 3, Eke Awka, and leader of the Eke Awka Task Force, could not survive the tension and trauma of the ordeal.

“The kidnappers demanded millions, and the family had no choice but to pay. Sixteen million naira was eventually delivered before he was set free.

But the celebration of his safe return was overshadowed by tragedy of his elder brother's sudden death.

The passing of Okafor has plunged the Awka business community into mourning, with traders describing him as a fearless defender of the market and a man of the people," a family member said.