Exit Of An Icon: A Tribute To Chief Ezeogo Uma Nchege Nwoke

Police in Anambra State have confirmed the kidnapping of an unidentified SUV driver on Saturday afternoon in the Ifite area of Awka, the state capital. The incident, which took place near the back gate of Nnamdi Azikiwe University around 2pm on July 13, 2024, although police did not immediately confirm the details when contacted earlier.

In a press statement on Sunday afternoon, Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, provided further details. He stated, "The Commissioner of Police Anambra State, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, confirms that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the assailants and secure the release of the abducted victims." Ikenga added, "The incident was captured in a video along Ifite – Amansea road, Awka. Police responding teams recovered the abandoned victim’s vehicle, and joint security measures have been implemented, including operational positioning of personnel, to prevent further incidents in the state."

Despite these efforts, additional kidnapping incidents were reported on the same Saturday in Anambra State. Following the initial abduction, gunmen reportedly returned to the same area and seized another individual from a Lexus 350 sedan. According to sources in the area, the perpetrators carried out the second abduction calmly, contrasting with the initial incident where they fired shots into the air to intimidate bystanders. Additionally, two separate abductions were reported later that night in Oraukwu and Nimo communities, respectively.