An
open letter to the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, from
friends and colleagues of actors Nkiru Sylvanus and Kenneth Okolie
Dear Sir,
We write to formally
inform your esteemed office of the kidnap, last Sunday, December 16th,
of two of our colleagues, enterprising entertainers, Nkiru Sylvanus and Kenneth
Okolie. The two actors were in Owerri, Imo State, shooting a movie when they
were forcefully abducted by masked gunmen. Some hours later, the mindless abductors
contacted family and friends of Ms Sylvanus especially demanding a N100m
ransom. Up till now, we cannot fathom the rationale behind their kidnap. And
their abductors have advanced none.
Perplexingly, about five days after this untoward incident, no concerted
efforts, as far as we know, are being made to rescue these hardworking and
patriotic Nigerians who sweat and toil to bring joy into millions of homes and
hearts across Nigeria and the globe. Indeed, it is sad and heartbreaking.
It is even more worrisome and befuddling considering that these actors’
kidnap is coming just days after the Police, under your distinguished
leadership, valiantly and commendably went all out for the kidnapped
82-year-old mother of the coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister for Finance,
Dr (Mrs.) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. The result, as we all know, is that Prof Kimene
Okonjo was returned home hale and hearty, thanks to the Police, your Police.
Are Sylvanus and Okolie lesser citizens? Are they no longer Nigerians who you
should be bothered about their safety and wellbeing? Don’t they deserve the
kind of police attention that Professor Okonjo got? Does kidnap have another
name? Or, has Nigeria been reduced to George Orwell’s Animal Farm where some
animals are more equal than others?
We, the Friends of Sylvanus and Okolie, do not think so. We just believe
that you probably are swamped with protecting the lives and property of
Nigerians during this yuletide season or you are not aware how important they
also are as law abiding citizens of this great country.
Sir, Ms Sylvanus is one of the more popularand proficient role
interpreters in Nollywood (Nigeria’s globally acclaimed movie industry) with a
catalogue of seminal movies that have shored up our rating as a filmmaking
nationin the last 15years.Worthy of mention is that it is because of actors
like Sylvanus that the Nigerian movie industry has achieved so much
reverenceand renown globally.
Apart from her acting career, she is also a notable philanthropist who donates
as much as she earns to motherless babies and widows.
Mr. Okolie, on the other hand, won the Mr. Nigeria contest in 2010 and
went on to represent Nigeria at the Mr. World contest where he was second
runner up. In his own way, he has flown the flag of Nigeria in pride on global
stages. He is also an actor and singer and model. He is willing to do more to
further make Nigeria proud but he can’t do anything in captivity.
It is in the light of our apparent helplessness that we decided to write
you this letter to please deploy the same audacious expertise and refined
gallantry that have become the hallmark of the Nigeria Police under your watch
to bring our colleagues home to their families and fans. Of course, you know
sir, that these young Nigerians cannot afford anything near the ransom being
demanded and we are scared that if something is not done fast, we fear the
worst for Sylvanus and Okolie. That is why we are counting on you sir.
As we earnestly await their return, we hope that you would please, use
your office to evolve a winning and redoubtable strategy to protect the
Nollywood community from the increasing incidence of abduction as we have not
forgotten so soon that veteran screen idols Nkem Owoh and Pete Edochie have
traveled that tortuous and unpleasant road before.
We wish to continue entertaining Nigerians and doing Nigeria proud with
our art but we cannot do so under an atmosphere of pervasive insecurity and
vulnerability.
Please, help us and accept the assurances of our profound regards and
promise to continue to be Proudly Nigeria.
God bless you.
God bless the Nigeria Police
God bless Nigeria
Signed
Friends of Nkiru Sylvanus and Kenneth Okolie
Seun oloketuyi Executive producer Bon Awards
Stella Dimoko Korkus Journalist
Ify okeke Actress
Halima Abubakar Actress
Gbenga Adeyinka Comedian
Mercy Aigbe Actress
Laide bakare Actress
Jane odigboh Actress
Grace Amah Actress
Ogbechi Asiegbu Actress
Bryan okwara Model and Actor
Gbenro
Elenu Comedian
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