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The Uguwuogo Nike-Opi-Nsukka highway in Enugu State has become a hotspot for kidnappers, with at least three abductions reported in less than four days last week. Despite the alarming trend, the Enugu State Police Command has dismissed these reports as false and threatened to take action against individuals sharing such information on social media.
One of the victims, Eze Emenike, was kidnapped on January 28 while traveling from Enugu town to Nsukka. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of ₦10 million, leaving his family and friends scrambling for funds.
A Facebook post by his close associates pleaded with the public financial assistance, revealing that efforts to seek help from the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the Nigerian Police was yet to yield any result.
However, Daniel Ndukwe, the spokesperson for the Enugu State Police Command, refuted the claims, calling them “false, malicious, and intended to incite fear.” In a statement on January 30, Ndukwe challenged the individuals behind the reports to provide verifiable evidence or face legal consequences. He also stated that the Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, has ordered intelligence and tactical units to track down those spreading the alleged misinformation.
Meanwhile, CrimeFacts gathered that additional cases, including the abduction of a recently widowed man along the same route happened thereafter.
The victim, who had just completed mourning his late wife, sources indicate, was kidnapped near the Api Opi shrine. His family is reportedly struggling to raise the ransom demanded by the kidnappers.
Also, a certain senior citizen was also abducted last week along the same stretch of highway, with the criminals demanding exorbitant sums for his release.
Videos obtained by CrimeFacts suggest that the highway has become a significant security risk for commuters.
Despite the growing concerns, the police’s dismissal of the reports and threats against whistleblowers have left residents and travellers feeling vulnerable.
