…..Receive Millions of Naira As Ransom
Kidnappers have intensified their nefarious activities in Anambra State in recent weeks, digging deep into Onitsha, the State commercial nerve center hitherto considered safe.
At least in the last two weeks, these scoundrels have extended their activities to Government officials, priests, traditional rulers, and, of course, businessmen.
A competent source told South East Security Forum(SESF) that on July 23, 2024, one Michael Ihekwerehu, popularly called Major was kidnapped at Ihiala by people believed to be members of Eastern Security Network (ESN) as he was heading to Umuahia, Abia State for his daughter’s wedding.
South East Security Forum(SESF) said when their vehicle was stopped they went through the manifest and saw major which the man filled.
That was how they picked him even though the man has never been connected with any security organisation even common gate man. His family was said to have paid two million naira (N2m) to his abductors.
One Mr. Christopher Friday, who is the Coordinator of National Youth Service Corp (NYSC). Akwa-Ibom State, with his driver, according to our source, were kidnapped at Mbosi, Ihiala Local Government Area of the as they were returning to Uyo after visiting his family in Edo State.
The kidnappers who carried his Hilux official vehicle are yet to release the man and his driver even when the family has paid about N4•2m to them.
Last week, said our source, the son of a prominent traditional ruler in Anambra State fell victim of these criminals.
He was said to have been kidnapped at Modebe by Oguta Road junction and he was yet to be released as at the time of posting this story.
In a similar vein, the son of a prominent businessman in Onitsha was kidnapped in Onitsha.
Although our source said the man has been released but without the abductors collecting the sun of N7m from his account through his handset, inflicted him with deep injury on his head and carted away his Lexus Jeep.
In June, it was gathered that four people were kidnapped in Creek Road, Fegge Onitsha, one of them was one Chizoba with his wife.
They later dropped him after shooting him in the mouth which removed his teeth but they carried his pregnant wife which they had to pay a whopping sum of N12m to the kidnappers.
One Chief Uchenna Anyadiegwu’s wife was in June kidnapped at Nkpor in Idemili North local government of the State which went viral. But before his abduction his relatives had equally been kidnapped.
A prominent Catholic priest, Rev Father Gbuzuo was also a victim of these kidnappers. Our source said Fr. Gbuzuo had to part with N10m before he was released.
At Nnewi,few months ago a commander of Anambra Vigilante Group (AVG) was brutally murdered in a cold blood while people who were conducting funeral of their late relatives was either murdered or sustain different degree of injuries.
Our source said these kidnappers always operated with SUV Prado Jeep with a broken glass.
However, our investigation showed that in the South East Anambra and Imo States are safe havens for the kidnappers with both having about 19 camps.
In Anàmbra State alone there 10 camp which includes:Tango 1 and 2 in Ihiala, Mother Valley in Nnewi, Nnewi camp, Burrow Pit Camp, Orsumogho , Ogbunka Camp Orumba South.
Others camps are: Ogwuaniocha/Osomala in Ogbaru Local Government Area, Uli/Lilu, Mbosi, Ihiala Local Government, Nkwelle Ezunaka,Oyi Local Government, Orsumogho –Ihitenansa through Ukpor camp, and Ihiala camp.
In Imo State there are Njaba camp, Aku Ihube, Okigwe camp, Orsu camp and Orsu 1, Ekeututu camp.
Other camps in Imo State include: Arondizuogu, Ihete, Orlu,Obibiochasi/Ihere, Orlu, Umundanze/Okporo camp, Orlu and Izombe.
In Enugu State there are only two camps in Nsukka and Nkalagu/Ikem. Abia also has two : Ala Nso (Holy Land) Terrorist camp and Ohafia camp.
Ebonyi and Delta States have one each: Abakiliki and Ugwu Nwosu Terrorists camp,, Asaba respectively.
Source: South East Security Forum(SESF)
