Metro
Govt, Police abandoned us – Family of man whose corpse was kidnapped narrate ordeal
The family of a man whose corpse was kidnapped alongside his relatives while being conveyed from Lagos to Nsukka has accused both the Enugu State Government and the Police of abandoning them during their predicament.
The family said they were bewildered by the actions of the Nigerian Government, including the federal, state and local governments and the security agencies.
This statement followed the final release of the three family members accompanying the corpse by the kidnappers.
The remains of the late Mr Ugwuanyi Israel from Ameze Owerre, Umabor community in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, was kidnapped around Umuoka in Udi Local Government area of the State while being conveyed from Lagos to his home town.
The kidnappers also took along some family members during the hijack.
The elder brother to the deceased, Mr Collins Ugwuanyi, in a statement made available to DAILY POST, is now accusing the Nigeria Police and Enugu State government of being insensitive to their plight while they remained in the kidnappers’ den.
“We are still bewildered by the actions of the Nigerian Government – the Federal, State and Local Government; the security personnel, police, Nigerian army, forest guard, etc.
“We were abandoned by the government whose primary responsibility is the protection of lives and property. We were almost abandoned even by our own people. God have mercy,” he said.
Ugwuanyi said Governor Peter Mbah and the chairman of Nsukka Local government, Walter Ozioko, did not in any way contact the family up till now regarding the incident even when the news of the kidnapping was all over the media.
“They cannot claim that they were not aware of the incident because the news was everywhere. Are these people, not human beings from their state?
“The commissioner of police is ordering the arrest of a native doctor for carrying out an act of cruelty on animals at his shrine but he could not issue a similar order to arrest these criminals holding my people hostage. We are seriously in trouble,” he added.
Ugwuanyi also said he was greatly surprised that the Police did not make any single effort to effect the release of his kidnapped relatives.
“The divisional police station where we reported the incident could not swing into action to release my relations under the kidnapper’s net.
“When I contacted him, he said, “I and my men wanted to enter the bush but the cost of fuel is too high.. Look at the type of mess we are into”.
While expressing gratitude to Nigerians who assisted his family through prayers and other support, he said, “God through His divine intervention brought back the kidnapped victims home safely.”
There is tension among residents of Ikakumo community in Akoko Northeast local government area of Ondo state over the killing of a herdsman during a clash with vigilance group in the locality.
Two other persons including Commander of the vigilance were injured in the clash.
Some residents in the community said they were afraid of reprisal attacks from the herdsmen.
It was gathered that the clash occurred when a member of vigilance group challenged a herdsman who last month kidnapped one Balogun at Ikakumo community in Edo state.
A fracas ensued between the herdsmen and the vigilance group with one of the herders was stabbed to death.
The two injured persons were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Owo.
Ondo Police spokesman, Ayanlade Olayinka Olushola, confirmed the incident and said investigation has commenced.
The District Head of Odugbeho in Agatu Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue state, Chief Anthony Adejoh has been murdered by suspected armed herdsmen.
Reports have it that the royal father and one Jerry John were gruesomely murdered Wednesday afternoon by the marauders at Otobi-Akpa in Otukpo LGA.
The duo were said to be working in their farms in Otobi when the marauders stormed the area and opened fire on them.
They were later discovered dead when the people who heard the sound of gunshots dashed to the scene and found them dead.
Confirming the development, the Chairman of Agatu LGA, Mr. Marvis Ejeh, said Chief Adejo was gruesomely killed on his farm at Akpa-Otobi by armed herders who invaded the area at about 10 am.
He described late royal father as a peace builder, an astute community builder and a community leader who would be greatly missed by all.
The Chairman said, “I can confirm to you that the district head of Odugbeho, Chief Tony Adej,o has been killed. He was killed by some armed herdsmen while working on his farm at Otobi in Otukpo LGA of the State.
“Despite hearing this ugly news, Odugbeho community is calm, our people are calm because we will not take law into our hands.
“Nobody is taking the law into their hands, there is no need for a reprisal attack because the incident did not happen at home. Agatu is calm and peaceful.”
The Agatu Chairman, who enjoined the people to be security conscious wherever they find themselves said “Agatu people residing and farming in other LGAs should be careful and watchful.
“They should liaise with the local authority and know the areas that are safe to work for now, since the government is trying to curb the issue of insecurity in the entire Benue South District or Zone c.”
Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent, CSP, Chatherine Anene said she had yet received reports of the incident.
The Lagos State Government has announced plans to prosecute 74 individuals apprehended for violating environmental regulations within the state.
According to the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, the suspects were arrested during a coordinated enforcement operation by the state’s Taskforce in the early hours of Tuesday around 1 a.m., targeting key locations across the Lekki axis of Lagos Island.
The enforcement sweep covered areas including the Falomo Bridge, Eko Hotel Roundabout, Oniru Beach, Lekki Phases 1 and 2, and the 1004 Estate. A total of 72 men and two women were taken into custody.
Wahab explained that the operation aimed to restore order and sanitation in the affected areas.
He added that the suspects will face prosecution in accordance with state laws and urged residents to remain law-abiding and committed to maintaining a clean, orderly environment for all.
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