Succour finally came the way of embattled Nollywood star actor, John Okafor, famously known as Mr. Ibu, on Thursday night when kidnappers freed his wife and one-year-old son after nine days in captivity.
While breaking the good news to Saturday Sun, elated Ibu, disclosed that his wife and son were released by their abductors without any harm.

On whether ransom was paid to the kidnappers, who first demanded N50 million, before reducing it to N6 million, some days later, Ibu said that was immaterial.

“What I can happily tell you is that my loving wife and lovely one-year-old son were released to me on Thursday night safe and alive. They are out quite all right, but the condition I met them was very appalling and pathetic. They looked like real prisoners… Asking me whether a ransom was paid at this time is what I cannot answer. But at the appropriate time, I will give you the full details of what transpired. I want to thank you and The Sun for all your efforts.”|

When asked to comment on the role Enugu State government played in their release, Ibu categorically, stated that his home state did not play any vital role in securing the release of his wife and child.

“I thank God first for everything, but it was my own effort and that of few concerned friends of mine that made the release possible. My state government that I have done so much for abandoned me to my fate when I needed them most, but no hard feelings,” he said.

On Tuesday, January 4, heavily armed kidnappers invaded the Agbani road, Enugu city residence of the hilarious entertainer and abducted his wife and three children. They later released two of the children, a boy and girl, while holding on to the wife and her baby boy.