Group Urges Soludo to Declare State of Emergency in Anambra as Gunmen Abduct Man in Onitsha

By Praise Chinecherem

Onitsha South Landlords Association Forum (OSLAF) has urged Governor Chukwuma Soludo to declare a state of emergency in Anambra over the worsening insecurity in the state.

The group made the call while reacting to Thursday’s abduction of a man at Fegge area of Onitsha, Anambra State.

The victim was said to have been kidnapped by a gang operating with Sienna bus at Porthacourt road around 4.30pm.

The man was reportedly blocked by the armed kidnappers with their vehicle who, pretending to be security officers, pushed him into their waiting vehicle and zoomed off towards Upper Iweka area.

Reacting to the incident, Chairman and secretary of OSLAF, Chief Nzeako Obidigbo and Chief Kingsley Chukwuemeka, called for state of emergency to be declared on security in Onitsha.

The group regretted that after their recent alarm, Police in Onitsha have not done anything serious except mounting road blocks where they allegedly extort money from Keke riders.

“In the last one month plus, over five persons have been kidnapped and heavy ransom paid before they were released. Their cars are yet to be recovered.

“What kind of Policing are we talking about here? We should engage Police driven by intelligence not road blocks.

“The security has collapsed completely in Fegge part of the commercial town. We call for a state of emergency to be declared on security in Onitsha.

“We also call on Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu to embark on immediate overhaul of security architecture in Onitsha and environs to arrest the ugly security situation.

“Can we continue to live in fear? OSLAF will embark on aggressive protest if the criminals were not arrested and another citizen kidnapped again” the statement reads.