Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, has called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the wave of kidnappings along the Enugu-Ugwuogo Nike-Nsukka Road.
According to the DAILY POST, commuters were attacked on the road in a series of attacks, leading to the kidnapping of some students from the University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN, and some high-profile politicians in the state.
There are allegations, however, that the kidnappers have some insiders in security agencies.
According to the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, information obtained from one of the victims reveals a chain of communication between the hoodlums and security operatives stationed at various checkpoints along the road.
Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, National President of the Ohanaeze Youths, told journalists in a statement on Saturday that all security personnel on duty at the time of the incidents should be investigated.
Okwu described the development as the importation of insecurity into Enugu State in order to undermine the state’s peaceful status, adding that a victim of the kidnapping incident told him that “the police and the army are complicit in the act of kidnapping at the Opi-Ugwuogo axis.” That the police at checkpoints usually choose expensive cars carrying people who appear to have financial clout. The police will stop all such vehicles and order them to move immediately, and as soon as they do, a gunshot will be fired, alerting the kidnappers to come out.
“That from the discussions between the kidnappers and some of the victims, it is clear that some of the kidnappers are serving soldiers.
“That the kidnappers are using AK-49 and berreta pistols.
“That whenever the soldiers are coming to the camp to drop food and arms, they would blindfold the eyes of the victims.
“That investigations have also revealed that some top security men are complicit in this development.
“That most of the soldiers involved are imported into the State from Umuahia, Abia State.
“That the kidnappers, who were speaking pure Fulani, kept boasting and claiming that there was no need involving the police as they had backings from high ranking army and police officers.”
He said consequent upon these allegations, “we, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youths are demanding a re-organization of security architecture in Enugu State. This entails a detailed redeployment of all security chiefs in the State.
“We call on the Inspector-General of Police and the Chief of Army Staff to open up an inquiry into the kidnap incidents recorded at that road. These allegations are too heavy and should not be swept under the carpet. They are not too different from the experience of the then Methodist Prelate, Most Rev. Samuel Kanu-Uche who was abducted in Abia State. We have the feeling that the same gang just relocated to Enugu State.
“We also demand the immediate rescue of all the hostages.”
“The imported crime is nothing but a calculated attempt to destabilize Enugu State. This is why we call on Ndi Enugu to rise up, irrespective of political affiliation, and say no to this evil plot.
“Enugu remains the only peaceful State in the South-East and that is the record they want to dent. We urge Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi not to be intimidated but to stand firm,” Okwu declared.