The family of a kidnapped Anambra businessman, Onyeka Nnakwue, has faulted the Anambra State Police Command for releasing a suspect in the case.
Onyeka was reportedly abducted by some yet-to-be-identified assailants on June 29, 2023, after he was invited to feast with a friend on Igbariam Road in the Awkuzu area of Anambra State.
The victim’s elder brother, Onyibor, who spoke to our correspondent on behalf of the family on Saturday, lamented that since that visit, Onyeka’s whereabouts had remained unknown.
According to him, the state Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye, assigned the matter to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awkuzu, after a petition was lodged at the state police headquarters in Awka.
He said, “My brother, Onyeka Nnakwue, got a phone call from his friend, Ndubuisi Muorah, aka Future King, on June 29, 2023, inviting him to come over to his office and enjoy deliciously prepared noodles with him and while he was there, we got a report that some armed men invaded the place and kidnapped him.
“Onyeka, who was driving to his home in Achalla, Awka North LGA, with the electrical appliances he bought for a local church upgrade in our community, after receiving the call from his friend, diverted to the location at the Future King Petrol Station along Igbariam Road in Awkuzu, where the seemingly jollof feast was to hold. Till date, we have not seen or heard from him.
“The police arrested the prime suspect. After one day in custody, the police released him, saying they did not have enough evidence against him. The police said prominent people in the state were making calls to them for the young man to be released immediately and based on the pressure, they had to release the young man.”
He lamented that since the release of the suspect, the police had not made any progress on the case.
Onyibor said his brother’s car, house key and ATM cards were still with the police at Awkuzu.
He said, “The police have not done anything tangible that can lead to the release of my brother. The message they sent to us was that we should come and take my brother’s car because there was no evidence linking the prime suspect to the kidnap of our brother.
“The funniest aspect of the whole stage-managed kidnap is that the suspect initially claimed he used to communicate with the kidnappers who claimed they demanded N2m ransom for my brother and asked for support from our family for the victim to be released.
“We have not heard anything from the kidnappers; they have not called us till date, and his friend who invited him over to his place for a meal told us he cannot assist us in any way. He and my brother are best friends.
“We are pleading with the Anambra State Government, the Inspector-General of Police, the Commissioner of Police and other people that can assist us, especially the DSS, because it is very bad that we have not seen our brother since he visited his friend and the prime suspect is walking freely while our brother’s whereabouts is still unknown.
“Our brother is a jovial and easygoing person, he is not the type that looks for trouble. He is a gentleman to the core. He is a businessman based in Lagos. He deals in building materials and is also a contractor. He is 46 years old.”
The state police spokesman, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, said he was not aware of any petition on the matter and promised to check and get back.
“I will escalate this to the authorities for necessary action, please,” Ikenga added.
*Story, except headline, from Punch
