Former Rivers State Head of Service (HoS), George Nwaeke, has dismissed claims by his wife, Florence Nwaeke, that he was kidnapped, stating that he is safe in Abuja and acting on his own accord. He refuted the allegations in a video statement released on Saturday, explaining that his trip to the Federal Capital Territory was a voluntary decision aimed at addressing key security concerns related to the ongoing political situation in Rivers State.
Nwaeke clarified that he traveled from Port Harcourt to Abuja to personally report himself to security agencies regarding the political tensions currently unfolding in Rivers State. According to him, the escalating crisis necessitated his resignation as head of service, a decision he formalized on Monday before embarking on his trip to Abuja.
“I am in Transcorp Abuja. I arrived this morning from Port Harcourt to meet with 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,” Nwaeke explained in his statement, seeking to put to rest concerns about his alleged disappearance.
His response came after a video of his wife, Florence Nwaeke, went viral on social media, in which she tearfully pleaded for information on his whereabouts. In the widely shared footage, Florence claimed that she had been unable to reach her husband after he arrived in Abuja, leading to speculation that he had been abducted. Her statement sparked public anxiety and widespread concerns, with many calling for urgent action to locate the former HoS.
Addressing his wife’s emotional plea, Nwaeke alleged that she had been misled into reading a scripted statement designed to misinform the public. He suggested that certain individuals might have taken advantage of the ongoing political climate to fuel unfounded narratives about his safety.
“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 asserted, firmly dismissing the rumors surrounding his alleged disappearance.
Nwaeke further distanced his wife from his professional affairs, emphasizing that she had no direct involvement in his official duties as the head of service. He reiterated that any claims made in her video were not a reflection of the reality of the situation and should be disregarded.
“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,” he added, reinforcing his commitment to addressing the political crisis through the right channels.
His statement seeks to reassure the public and his family while also shedding light on the ongoing unrest in Rivers State, which has led to heightened security concerns for several political and administrative figures. By choosing to report himself directly to security agencies in Abuja, Nwaeke aims to ensure transparency and personal safety amid the turbulent situation in his home state.
Meanwhile, reactions to his clarification have been mixed, with some expressing relief at his safety while others continue to question the circumstances surrounding his sudden departure to Abuja. With tensions still running high in Rivers State, Nwaeke’s situation underscores the broader political uncertainty affecting key figures in the region.