‘I Am Not Kidnapped’ – Former Rivers HoS Dismisses Wife’s Kidnap Alarm as ‘A Script’

Mr Nwaeke, the former Head of Service in Rivers State who tendered his resignation on March 25, has countered his wife’s claim that he is missing, calling her alarm ‘a script’ she’s playing out.

Resignation and Self-Report to Security Agencies

Mr. George Nwaeke resigned from his position as Rivers State Head of Service on March 25, citing troubling developments in the state. Days later, he granted an interview from Abuja, where he stated that he had voluntarily reported himself to security agencies.

“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.

Wife Raises Alarm, Claims Husband Has Been Kidnapped

Nwaeke’s statement was in response to his wife’s claims that he was abducted and forced to make the statements he gave in the interview.

On Friday night, Mr. Nwaeke had granted an interview with a journalist where he made serious allegations against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who was suspended by the President after a state of emergency was imposed on the oil-producing state.

“I want to tell Rivers people today that the House of Assembly complex on Moscow Road was clearly brought down by Edison Ehie under the instructions of Gov. Siminalayi Fubara,” Mr. Nwaeke said in the explosive interview.

“I challenge him to an open confrontation, and I will throw more light on it.

“A day after that incident, I almost resigned, but I was very scared because I know the power of a sitting governor, and he knew that I was aware of the whole plan and that I was uncomfortable with the unconscionable act and deliberate posture of innocence and mien of a sheep.”

However, his wife, Mrs. Florence Nwaeke, claimed that her husband was coerced into making claims against the governor, stating, ‘That is not my husband.’

In an emotional video that is now making rounds on social media, she recounted her last communication with him.

“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 got an interview. I said, ‘What interview? Interview for what?’ Not until I saw things flying on the internet that he granted an interview. What happened? I said, ‘That is not my husband. That is not my husband.’”

Expressing deep concern, she revealed her desperate attempts to contact him. “So I sent him a message. I said, ‘Are you under duress?’ I sent him a message. I said, ‘Have they kidnapped you? Talk to me now. Why are you not talking to me?’” she added. “His numbers are not going through. Nigerians, help me!”

Nwaeke Dismisses Wife’s Claim

However, the ex-HoS denied being kidnapped, suggesting that his wife had been misled and given a script to read.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

Governor Fubara Responds: ‘Nwaeke Has Been Compromised’

Reacting to the controversy, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara suggested that Nwaeke had been paid or coerced into making false claims.

“The truth is that 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 stated.

Fubara supported his claim with screenshots allegedly showing conversations between Nwaeke and his Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie. The chats purportedly indicated that Nwaeke had been requesting financial support in exchange for loyalty, stating that his N500,000 salary was insufficient to meet his needs.