Gunmen abduct Nigerian singer, Gwenzy and demand $200,000 ransom
Written by Adeola Ibrahim on April 30, 2024
Eric Many Records have confirmed that fast-rising Nigerian singer, Gnewzy, whose real name is Emuemu Goodnews has abducted very early on Monday in Delta State.
The kidnappers are said to have demanded a ransom of $200,000 (over N220 million).
The singer, who signed on to Eric Many Records in December 2023 and is famous for his ‘Sneakers’ single, was abducted after performing at a Homecoming concert at Monaco nightclub in Ughelli, Delta State.
The record label, issued a statement through its projector coordinator, Adedayo Showemimo which states how the tragic incident occurred.
”It is with deep concern and grave distress that Eric Many Records announces the unfortunate incident involving our artiste Gnewzy. In the early hours of Monday, 29th April, Gnewzy was kidnapped in Ughelli, Delta State. His manager, Obas9ice, narrowly escaped the same ordeal on Eklat road in Ughelli,” it said.
The abductors contacted Dilly Umenyiora, the record label’s CEO, to demand ransom via email which reads; ”You have seven days to pay $200,000 for your artist Gnewzy, or we will send out his head. We will send you a mail in five days on location for dropoff, involve the police or mark the money, and he will be killed.”
In an interview, Mr Umenyiora lamented the incident, saying he is at a crossroads about whether or not he should go ahead to pay the ransom. He said that he didn’t know if the ransom is supposed to cover the monies Gwenzy ought to make for and with the record label.
However, he is hesitant about delay, so it does not result in Gwenzy’s death. He ended his statement by trusting the law enforcement agencies to bring the kidnappers to book.
Delta state police spokesperson, Bright Edafe, said the law enforcement agency is investigating the matter.
Kidnap for ransom is not a foreign practice in Nigeria at large despite the efforts of law enforcement agencies who have arrested many kidnappers and freed many victims.
