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A United Kingdom-based, Mr. Ikechukwu Okeke, has been kidnapped by gunmen in Anambra.
Mr Okeke was kidnapped at his Amaokpala community in Orumba North Local Government Area of the State, on January 10th, 2025, at about 7:30pm, while returning home from the funeral service of his cousin, Mrs. Obiageli Okoli.
According to TribuneOnline, he was, however, released three days after undisclosed amount was paid to secure his freedom.
The incident was announced by the Diaspora Members of the Amaokpala community during a press conference held at the community, on Wednesday.
They expressed outrage over the rising insecurity in the state
The community urgently called on the State Governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo to take immediate and decisive action to address the security challenges threatening lives and property in the region.
According to the community, Mr Okeke, a United Kingdom-based professional and elder brother to Dr Chukwudi Okeke, chairman of Oxfordshire Cherwell District Council, returned to Nigeria on December 27, 2024, to attend his cousin’s funeral and visit his ailing parents before the unfortunate incident occured.
“The tragic incident occurred on January 10 at about 7:30 PM, as Mr. Okeke was returning home from the funeral of his cousin, Mrs. Obiageli Okoli.
“Unknown to him, the kidnappers had been trailing his movements. As he stopped at the gate of his residence, they struck, forcing him out of his vehicle and into a waiting Toyota Sienna, in which they whisked him away.”
The next morning, the kidnappers contacted his family and demanded a ransom of N100 million. After intense negotiations, an undisclosed amount was paid to secure his release. Mr. Okeke was freed unharmed after three days in captivity.
The incident has left the Amaokpala community enraged and questioning Governor Soludo’s silence on the deteriorating security situation. As the chief security officer of the state, they argue, the governor is responsible for ensuring the safety of all residents.
A visibly shaken Mr. Okeke expressed his trauma over the ordeal and attributed the high rate of insecurity in Anambra and Nigeria to widespread unemployment among young people and the lack of social security. He called for urgent investment in industries and job creation to address these root causes of crime.
The Amaokpala community, which holds the Okeke family in high regard, is demanding immediate government action to restore security and prevent further incidents of this nature.
They maintain that effective governance and a focus on long-term solutions will significantly reduce criminal activities and foster peace across the state.
