“I Am Not Kidnapped”: Former Rivers Official Refutes Wife’s Claim

George Nwaeke, the former Head of Service in Rivers State, has refuted his wife Florence’s claims that he was kidnapped, stating that he is safe in Abuja. He clarified that he voluntarily traveled to Abuja to report himself to security agencies regarding the ongoing situation in Rivers State.

In a video released early Saturday, Nwaeke dismissed his wife’s assertions, suggesting she had been given false information and a script to read. “I am in TRANSCORP Abuja. I arrived this morning from Port Harcourt to meet security agencies and report myself, as well as the troubling events happening in Rivers State. I resigned as Head of Service on Monday because of these developments,” he said.

Addressing his wife’s concerns, he emphasized, “I just saw a video of my wife trending. She was told I had been kidnapped and given a script to read. I want to make it clear—I am not kidnapped. I am in Abuja, working. When I was Head of Service, my wife was not involved in my official duties. That script she read is null and void. I am safe and sound. I will report myself to the appropriate security agencies because Abuja houses their headquarters, and I feel safer making my report here.”

This statement contradicts Florence Nwaeke’s emotional plea from Friday, where she expressed fears for her husband’s safety after viewing a suspicious online interview and being unable to contact him. She had shared her distress, saying, “I said, ‘That is not my husband. That is not my husband.’” and revealing her attempts to reach him, “I sent him a message: ‘Are you under duress? Have they kidnapped you? Talk to me now. Why are you not responding?’ But he didn’t reply. His numbers are not going through. Nigerians, help me!”