By Suleiman Anyalewechi
“In a viral video, the kidnapped Honourable Ogbu was seen begging that the State Government and Security Agencies help save his life. The hoodlums are not asking for money, he said, but for the dismantling of the security architecture in Okigwe area”
On the day Senator Samuel Anyanwu, popular as SamDaddy, the Imo State-born National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, made an appeal for the rescue of Hon. Ngozi Ogbu, a former Imo State Lawmaker who was recently kidnapped by hoodlums, both the State Government and the Imo State Police Command have issued a statement to the effect that frantic efforts are being made in that direction.
Ogbu, who was also a former Chairman of the security-challenged Okigwe Local Government Area, was kidnapped on September 7, 2025, on his way home to prepare for the burial of his mother.
He has been in the custody of his abductors since then. Even though the hoodlums have shown a video of their victim where he is being held, what is curious is that they are not asking for money. In the viral video, Ogbu was seen in a helpless situation, making a frantic appeal to the Imo State Governor and Security Agencies, to do everything possible to save him from a painful and avoidable death. According to him, his abductors are asking for the dismantling of the security architecture in the Okigwe area as a precondition for his release.
Senator Anyanwu, in a statement on Sunday, September 12, appealed to the Imo State Government, to have pity on Ogbu, hearken to him, and do everything to save him from death.
Anyanwu’s statement reads in part:
“Following the abduction of former member of the Imo State House of Assembly, Hon Ngozi Ogbu by non state actors and strict condition for his release, Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu has pleaded with the Government of Imo state and security agencies to respect the request made by the victim who is an elder statesman as a possible means to save his life.
“Hon Ngozi Ogbu is a good man, peaceful, sincere, faultless and good governance campaigner. Seeing him die for committing no crime will be so devastating, worrisome and condemnable.
“He has played developmental politics without grudge, rancour and acrimony. It will be undemocratic, wicked, insensitive and disheartening for government to ignore the request by Hon Ogbu for his immediate release to be able to rejoin his family.
In a saner clime, the safety and freedom of an innocent citizen is much important to the government than any other project. While calling on relevant authorities to join hands to safe Hon Ogbu from captivity, further expressed optimism that his release will go a long way to rate how government responds to the needs of its citizens.”
“Don’t politicise Ogbu’s abduction” – IMSG
And in what seems like a response to Ogbu’s emotional appeal for help, and Anyanwu’s appeal to the Imo State Government for his rescue, the Government, in a statement same Sunday said it is making every possible effort to see to Ogbu’s release. The statement, signed by Declan Mbadiwe, Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, however, warned Politicians, not to make a political capital out of Ogbu’s sad situation.
The statement reads:
The Imo State Government assures the public that it is doing everything within its power to secure the safe release of Hon. Ngozi Ogbu, who was abducted a week ago.
The government condemns in the strongest terms the brazen and lawless act that led to the abduction of Hon. Ngozi Ogbu, a former Chairman of Okigwe Local Government and former member of the Imo State House of Assembly.
In concert with security agencies, the government has activated all necessary mechanisms to ensure his prompt and safe return.
While these efforts are ongoing, the government urges politicians, especially those who have in the past fanned the flames of insecurity in the state, to desist from making political capital out of Hon. Ogbu’s ordeal. Such comments or actions not only trivialise his suffering but could further endanger his life.
The politicisation of a matter involving the life of a husband, father, and fellow citizen is, to say the least, deeply unconscionable.
The Imo State Government reiterates its unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property and will continue to work tirelessly to keep Imo safe.
In the flurry of these efforts to release Ogbu, according to the Imo State Government, the State Police Command issued its own statement to the effect that it is pulling all stops to rescue of Ogbu unharmed.
The statement signed by the Command’s Spokesperson, Henry Okoye, stated that the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, has directed the immediate deployment of operatives of the Tactical Squad, with a marching order to ensure the safe return of the abducted. The Police said Honourable Ogbu is being held by those he identified as ” suspected IPOB/ ESN terrorists.” The statement did not however, say how the Police reached this conclusion on IPOB/ESN.
The statement reads in part:
“The Imo state Police Command is aware of a viral video showing Hon Ngozi Ogbu , former state legislator who represented the Okigwe State Constituency , being held hostage by suspected IPOB/ESN terrorists.
“The Commissioner of Police CP Aboki Danjuma ,has since ordered the immediate deployment of the Command’s Tactical Units ,in synergy with other security security agencies ,and a detailed investigation has been launched to apprehend the hoodlums ,and ensure the safe rescue of the law maker who was abducted at Onuimo on 07/09/2025”.
The Police appealed to citizens and residents, to assist it with any useful information that can lead to the tracking down of the perpetrators .
The Police assured that it will not relent on the ongoing rescue efforts until the victim is safely returned and those behind the dastardly act apprehended.
Not a few people are, however, afraid for Honourable Ogbu’s life as they insist that neither the Government nor Security Agencies would give in to the blackmail and dismantle the security architecture in Okigwe.
The area witnessed an enhanced security since the escalation of insecurity which has cost the lives of many, and a near-mass exodus of the people.
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