Former Head of Service in Rivers State, George Nwaeke, has debunked viral claims by his wife, Florence Nwaeke, alleging that he had been kidnapped following his resignation from office.
Okay.ng reports that in a video released in the early hours of Saturday, Nwaeke clarified that he is safe and currently in Abuja, where he voluntarily travelled to report himself to relevant security agencies over recent political developments in Rivers State.
“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 stated.
Nwaeke said he was surprised by the video circulated online showing his wife in distress, alleging that he had been kidnapped. He suggested that Florence had been misinformed 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.”
He added that he chose Abuja because it houses the headquarters of key national security agencies and feels “safer making [his] report here.”
Florence Nwaeke, in a tearful appeal on Friday, said she had lost contact with her husband following his arrival in Abuja. Although he had initially confirmed his safe landing, she said she later became suspicious after seeing an online video interview she believed was not consistent with his usual demeanour.
“I said, ‘That is not my husband. That is not my husband,’” she recalled.
“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!” she pleaded.
The incident gained traction after Nwaeke publicly accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of orchestrating the 2023 bombing of the Rivers State House of Assembly, allegedly to prevent his impeachment. He also claimed to have witnessed a bag of money being handed to Edison Ehie, the then Assembly leader and now Fubara’s Chief of Staff, for the attack on the legislative complex.
