Derek Aikman is still missing tonight, bringing it to 48 hours since he was abducted on the Burrell Boom Road on Sunday night. There is no new information to report and that is the worry. Since he called into Krem Radio yesterday morning, there has been no contact from him. Consequentially, the BTL Vesting Bill was signed into law by the Governor General around noon today. A ransom note had said that he would be killed if the bill was passed. Tonight his family remains very concerned and they are joined by a community gripped more than every by the gravity of this unprecedented crime.
His wife Kim Aikman, flanked by her children, made a plea to the kidnappers this evening.
Kim Aikman, Wife
"I would really like to appeal to them to just please have a heart and release my husband. This is day three going into day four and it is really senseless. I just cannot understand why him for the demands that they are making, you are making. He has no control over that Bill, whether it is passed or not. He is
not in the Senate, he is not in the House and I would just like to ask them to please let him go."
Keith Swift,
I guess you already addressed this but why would they target him?
Kim Aikman,
"That is the big question. I don't know. I have no idea why they are choosing him but Derrick has been my husband for the past 24 years and the father of my children and he is a wonderful...and he would not, I know there is the insinuations, there are the insinuations out there from certain members of the public and the press and the police that this is all hoax, that we have made this up, that we have staged this for attention. I think it is a ludicrous statement. Derrick, the Derrick I know and the Derrick a lot of people know, and their father, would never ever ever put his family through what we are going through right now."
Keith Swift,
What has the three days been like you?
Kim Aikman,
"Pure hell. It's been torture. We've been surrounded by friends who have come out to lend their support and we've been overwhelmed with calls and
notes and it means a lot to know that people out there care and that is what we are focusing on. We're praying and we're a family of strong faith, we're a very close family and three days being away from us is a long time."
Keith Swift,
The kidnappers made a demand that if the Vesting Bill was passed they would kill him. That Bill was signed into law this afternoon. What is your fear?
Kim Aikman,
"Well I am appealing to the captors, whoever you are, to please do not carry out the threat that you left on the note. He has nothing to do with the Bill."
Keith Swift,
We know that your husband needs his medication. What is the health risk if he doesn't get it?
Kim Aikman,
"I've spoken to his doctor. He is telling me that the most he can go is three days because the thyroxin, it is still in his system right now. That is the most urgent one but today is the deadline and he is going to start feeling cold and hot and sleepy and can't keep his eyes open and it's going to have a terrible effect on his body.
He is also a diabetic and the last time we heard from him, he was saying that they weren't giving him any food which is dangerous. He doesn't have the medication and it could take his blood sugar level very low. So the health risks are great."
Inga Aikman, Daughter
"Basically the same plea as my mom, its terrible seeing my family members suffer, seeing my mom, brother, and sister cry and just not knowing where my father is and just imagining what he is going through being deprived of food and his medication which is essential. So we would just like to appeal to whoever have him just to please soften your heart. Imagine if it was your wife or brother or mother or anyone dear to you, just to please let him go."
This is the third night he has been missing, a total of 48 hours. As Kim Aikman noted, after three days without medication. He becomes gravely ill. A reward of two thousand dollars has been offered for information leading to his safe return. Today, BTL, the Business Bureau and the National Trade Union Congress issued releases asking for Derek Aikman's safe return.
