Gunmen, reportedly numbering over six and traveling in two Toyota Sienna vehicles, abducted three individuals around 5 p.m. on Tuesday near Traffic Light Junction, Umudim Nnewi, Anambra State.
The victims—two men and a woman—were returning home after their day’s work when the incident occurred close to the Innoson Motorcycle Showroom, off the Onitsha-Okigwe Expressway.
Eyewitnesses speculated that the abduction might be linked to threats made by the gunmen prior to the burial of the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.
They had warned that Nnewi could face similar security challenges as Orsumoghu in Ihiala, Anambra State, and Orsu Ihiteokwa in Imo State, areas known for violent activities.
The gunmen allegedly declared they would make Nnewi unsafe if the senator was buried without their approval.
Despite these threats, the Anambra State Police downplayed any connection between recent incidents and the senator’s burial. They cited a shooting between police officers and a local vigilante group at Nnobi Junction as unrelated and reassured residents of their commitment to maintaining security.
According to reports, the victims were ambushed by the armed assailants, who forced them out of their vehicle and into one of the gunmen’s cars before fleeing the scene.
According to a Vanguard source, as the victims alighted from the vehicle conveying them to their destination,the gunmen ordered them at gunpoint to enter their vehicle and the two men obeyed. The lady who was jittery and confused was forced into the same vehicle. The men entered and they immediately zoomed off withthe three victims.
An eyewitness revealed that one of the gunmen took control of the victims’ vehicle and followed the lead vehicle carrying the abducted individuals, while a second vehicle driven by the assailants trailed behind.
The entire operation, executed swiftly in under five minutes, caused widespread panic along the road and in the surrounding area. Many shop owners in the vicinity closed early due to fear, abandoning their businesses before the usual closing time.
Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident on Wednesday. He stated that the police are actively pursuing leads gathered from the scene to aid ongoing rescue operations.
According to Ikenga, “Anambra State Joint Security Forces, are on the offensive for possible unhurt rescue of three victims and arrest of the abductors.”
Ikenga’s statement read, “Today November 26-11-2024 by 6:45 pm three people were abducted near Innoson Motorcycle Showroom along Owerri Road, Nnewi.
“The police command is determined and is already working with information obtained from the scene for the ongoing rescue operations. “The Command also urged residents or anyone with useful information that will aid the investigation to come forward to the Command Headquarters, Awka, or the nearest Police station.
“You are also encouraged to call the Command’s Emergency number 112 or call 07039194332 for a prompt response. Further details shall be communicated.”