Anxiety, fears trail Nkem Owoh's kidnap

REACTIONS have continued to trail the abduction of Nkem Owoh by some unidentified gunmen on Monday afternoon along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

Owoh, who is popularly referred to as Osuofia, a role he played in one of his early films, is from Enugu State, where he also lives.

Efforts to reach Owoh on two of his numbers have been unsuccessful, as the phones are 'switched off'.

A source close to the family of the actor confirmed that Owoh's abductors have reached out to "his family members and a top official of the Enugu State government."

The abductors, according to a widely circulated message, have reportedly demanded N15 million as ransom before Owoh is released.

Owoh's abduction is coming barely three months after some unidentified gunmen abducted but later released popular actor and Re-branding Nigeria Ambassador, Chief Pete Edochie (MON).

Edochie was released three days after unidentified hoodlums abducted him at Nkpor near Onitsha. The former broadcaster and star of the television adaptation of Chinua Achebe's epic novel Things Fall Apart later united with his family.

Though it was widely reported by a section of the media that his abductors had demanded ransom to the tune of about N10 million for his release, the bearded actor refuted claims that they demanded ransom for his release, stressing that on the contrary he was treated like a father and reverenced like an elder.

According to Chuma Onwudiwe, Secretary General of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), who confirmed Owoh's abduction, the actor was probably on his way to a movie shoot 'somewhere around the Enugu-Abia axis'.

Onwudiwe confirmed the receipt of a similar message and said: "I am in touch with the family and our members in Enugu State, Owoh is a registered member of AGN there. I am also aware that the abductors have asked for a N15 million ransom. There is no other demand or news on the abduction yet, but be assured that I would reach you with further developments. The point is that someone has established contact with the abductors and I just pray nothing happens to him."

Top Nollywood actor and producer, Steve Eboh aka Ajebo, expressed shock at Owoh's abduction.

In his words, "it is sad that these hoodlums are now taking on people who are supposed to be making them happy in the face of depression. It is sad and a sad commentary too on the Nigerian question. If you link it to how our senior artiste, Chief Pete Edochie, was abducted recently, you would know that the people behind these are just people, who are hungry and protesting the bad governance in the nation and what have you. I think government should take a decisive step to improve the life of the people. Before it was militancy, now it is abduction."

Hailed as the undisputed 'King of Comedy', Owoh hit the right note when he starred in the jubilee hit Osuufia in London in 2003. The movie was produced and directed by Kingsley Ogoro.

Owoh rode on the back of the two-part movie to emerge one of Nigeria's highest paid actors, earning close to N2 million per movie appearance.

Owoh later veered into singing. He released an album, which he titled I go chop your dollar, which however, pitched him against government.

Though a song about advance fee fraud, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) banned it for promoting advance free fraud.

In 2007, Owoh was arrested in Amsterdam but was later released after Police raided venue of a musical show where he was performing.

The police arrested over 100 people on suspicion of lottery fraud and immigration violation but they didn't find Owoh guilty.

Also in 2008, Nollywood and fans of the actor were thrown into momentary shock when it was rumoured that the actor had passed on following complications resulting from the rupture of hard drugs the actor reportedly ingested while trying to traffic them out of Nigeria.

Owoh was reportedly arrested in Afghanistan, where the rupture occurred. Owoh's appearance in Lagos and some live television and radio interview he granted was what dispelled the rumour.

President of AGN, Segun Arinze, told The Guardian yesterday that the guild was working with relevant authorities to "ensure that Owoh re-unites with his family and gets back to the fold."

He said, "we are all on red alert. My phones are on. I have been calling Enugu almost every five minutes. Our prayer is that nothing happens to him. We are entertainers. We work for every dime we have. So, demanding ransom from us is misplaced."