A growing number of residents, groups, and stakeholders, including retired security officers, have raised alarm over the surge in kidnapping incidents in Anambra State. They emphasize the urgent need for measures to address this troubling trend.
Investigations by South-East PUNCH indicate a rise in criminal activities by armed hoodlums in recent weeks, targeting both rural and urban areas in the state.
According to interviews conducted by South-East PUNCH with residents, there is concern that these criminals view kidnapping as a profitable venture in the region due to the substantial ransoms paid by victims’ families. Some also suspect collusion between security forces and the kidnappers, allowing the crimes to occur without impediment.
Reports reveal that from May to August 2024, at least 20 individuals have been kidnapped, with over N250 million in ransom payments and more than 10 recorded deaths within three months. The recent weeks have seen a heightened wave of kidnapping activities, with victims’ families being drawn to the attractive payouts demanded by the perpetrators.
In a recent incident, three individuals were abducted by unidentified criminals along the Nkpologwu-Akpo Road, Nkpologwu, in Aguata Local Government Area. These men, who were visiting the state for an event, were taken by heavily armed assailants at different locations within the community.
Similarly, on July 23, an individual known as ‘Major’ was kidnapped in Ihiala en-route to Umuahia for his daughter’s wedding. His family reportedly paid N2 million in ransom for his release.
In June, a professor and a couple were kidnapped near the Dubai Estate in Awka, only being released after a ransom of over N80 million was paid.
Furthermore, the Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps, along with his driver, was abducted in Mbosi, Ihiala Local Government Area, following a visit to his family in Edo State. Despite a ransom payment of about N4.2 million, they are yet to be freed.
Last week, the son of a prominent traditional ruler in Anambra fell victim to kidnapping and remained in captivity at the Modebe by Oguta Road junction location at the time of reporting.
Incidents in May and June involved the abduction of students and a Catholic priest, each released upon paying ransom. Tragic events also occurred in Nnewi, where a vigilante commander was murdered, and individuals attending a funeral were killed or injured.
The police confirmed these incidents, with the state command’s spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, stating that investigations were underway.
Expressing concern, a resident in Awka, Chief Basil Okey, highlighted the escalating kidnappings, criticizing the security apparatus’ response and suggesting a comprehensive overhaul of the state’s security system.
Chief JohnBosco Odimegwu, Coordinator of the South-East Security Forum, echoed these sentiments, stating that Anambra and Imo states harbored numerous kidnappers’ camps. An investigation unveiled ten camps in Anambra alone, exacerbating the region’s security challenges.
Retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Celestine Okoye, also voiced apprehension over the kidnapping surge in Awka, emphasizing the need for immediate action.
Amid the increasing insecurity in the region, Okoye, a notable figure in Awka, expressed grave concerns about the situation in Anambra State, specifically highlighting the Dubai Estate area as a perilous zone.
He narrated a distressing encounter where he faced threats from suspected hoodlums for declining to assist them in securing bail for their incarcerated comrades. According to Okoye, the influence of certain individuals in Awka is fueling the rise of criminal activities like cultism and kidnapping, exacerbating the security crisis.
Citing recent incidents like the kidnapping of a newlywed couple with a hefty ransom demand of N30 million, Okoye lamented the deteriorating security conditions in Awka. He attributed the escalating insecurity to the collective failure of the government, security agencies, and parents in fulfilling their obligations.
Expressing frustration over the politicization of security matters in Anambra State, Okoye revealed his unsuccessful attempts to engage with Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo to address the pressing security issues in the state. He also criticized parents for neglecting their duties, citing instances where families of criminals obstruct police investigations by hastily burying bodies without informing the authorities.
Highlighting the urgent need for interventions to curb the escalating insecurity, Okoye contrasted the organized security measures in Nnewi, such as street cameras, that have proven effective in enhancing safety in the area.
In response to the concerns raised, Anambra State Commissioner for Homeland Matters, Chief Chikodi Anarah, assured proactive steps by the state to tackle security challenges, including round-the-clock operations and arrests to curb criminal activities.
The Anambra State Police Command spokesman, SP Ikenga, reiterated the commitment of the police to collaborate with local communities in identifying and apprehending criminals to mitigate crime rates. Ikenga urged families of kidnapping victims to cooperate with the police by providing crucial information for effective investigations and apprehension of culprits.