A former Head of Service in Rivers State, George Nwaeke, has assured the public of his safety amid concerns raised by his wife, Florence, over his sudden disappearance following his resignation.

Nwaeke, in a recorded video on Saturday, clarified that he was in Abuja and lodging at Transcorp Hilton, dismissing claims that he had been kidnapped.

Florence had raised an alarm on Friday, stating she had lost contact with her husband and feared for his life. She recounted how he informed her upon arriving in Abuja, only for her to later discover an online interview he granted, which left her deeply unsettled.

“When he got to Abuja, he called that he had landed. I said, ‘Thank God’,” she said. “The next thing I saw this night: people were calling me and saying he granted an interview. I said, ‘What interview? Interview for what?’”

She said her attempts to reach him were unsuccessful, with messages asking if he was under duress or kidnapped left unanswered. “His numbers are not going through. Nigerians, help me!” she pleaded, expressing distress over the uncertainty surrounding his safety.

However, in a video message, Nwaeke dismissed the fears, asserting that his wife was misled into believing he had been abducted. He insisted that he voluntarily travelled to Abuja to report himself to security agencies over troubling developments in Rivers State.

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“I want to clear this up. I was not kidnapped. I am in Abuja. This is the Transcorp Hotel where I am lodging,” he stated. “They told her I was kidnapped, and she was crying. They are making her say all sorts of things.”

Nwaeke, who served as Rivers State Head of Service until his resignation on Monday, alleged that his wife was unaware of official matters and only engaged in domestic and social discussions with him. He maintained that he was not acting under duress and reaffirmed his earlier statements about governance issues in the state.

The former official had accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of engaging with militants and supporting Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed’s presidential ambition for 2027. His statements triggered a wave of reactions, with the state government dismissing his claims.

Governor Fubara refuted the allegations, suggesting Nwaeke had been influenced or financially induced to make the statements. “Dr. Nwaeke has been compromised, and whatever he is saying is only aimed at fulfilling his promise to those who may have paid or coerced him to lie against me,” the governor said in a statement on Friday.

To support his position, Fubara released screenshots purportedly showing conversations between Nwaeke and his Chief of Staff, Ederson Ehie. While Nwaeke maintains that he is safe and standing by his statements, his wife’s continued distress raises concerns over the unfolding political tensions in Rivers State.

Crediblenewsng.com