Barataria businessman released unharmed

BARATARIA businessman Ryan Singh was released unharmed yesterday by the people who snatched and held him in captivity for nearly six days, senior police officers said. His kidnappers had called the family Thursday asking for $2.5 million for his safe release.  However, senior police officers said Singh’s kidnappers settled for between $100,000 and $200,000 after a barrage of calls on Friday night. Singh, the director of one of his father’s companies, which are subsidiaries of Imrith House located at Tenth Avenue, Barataria, was dropped off around 5 am yesterday at Golden Grove Road, Arouca, Churchill Roosevelt Highway.

The 25-year-old was medically examined, questioned by members of the Anti Kidnapping Squad (AKS), then reunited with his family.  His father, Garrett, however, told Sunday Newsday yesterday that he preferred not to comment on his son’s ordeal, but police said Singh appeared to be traumatised but was in good health otherwise. Singh, the country’s 36th person to be kidnapped for ransom, was snatched last Sunday night while dropping off his girlfriend at her Lashley Street, Tunapuna, home. The couple had just returned from dropping off Singh’s parents at Piarco International Airport. As they got to the Tunapuna residence, police said a B14 Nissan Sentra vehicle came from behind and blocked Singh’s car.  Two armed men then jumped out and snatched Singh.

The same night the kidnappers allowed Singh to call his home because police said they did not believe his parents were out of the country.  His parents returned sometime after. Senior officers, meanwhile, said they were contemplating holding an educational programme for would-be kidnap victims to become more aware of potential kidnappings. They said that kidnappers scope their victims out, then determine the best place to nab their victims. No arrests had been made up to late evening and investigations under AKS head Snr Supt Gilbert Reyes and acting Supt Henry Millington are continuing investigations.