By Okechukwu Onuegbu
Gunmen have kidnapped a United Kingdom-based man, Mr. Ikechukwu Okeke while returning home for cousin's burial at Amaokpala, Ọrumba North Local Government Area (LGA), Anambra State.
Okeke was allegedly whisked away by gunmen immediately he arrived his home at about 7:30pm on Saturday, January 10, 2025, after attending the burial ceremony of his Cousin Sister Mrs. Obiageli Okoli.
The Amaokpala Community in Diaspora who disclosed this in a press conference, noted that the kidnappers had trailed Mr. Okeke till he got to the gate of his house before they surrendered and bundled him into their Toyota Sienna and zoomed off.
According to the group, the kidnappers later contacted the victim’s family and demanded a ransom of ₦100 million but after intense negotiations, an undisclosed amount was paid, and Mr. Okeke was released unharmed after spending three days in the kidnappers’ den.
They further expressed outrage over the rising insecurity in Anambra State and urged Governor Chukwuma Soludo to take an urgent and decisive action to address the challenges and restore the people’s confidence and trust on their safety while in the state.
The victim, Mr. Okeke, while recounting his ordeal in the hands of abductors, expressed gratitude to God for his safety, even as he attributed cause of insecurity in the State to unemployment among young people and urged urgent investment in industries, job creation, and more strategic security measures.
But when contacted, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Tochukwu Ikenga, said there was no such report before the Command, urging victim to report appropriately.