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When the administration of the immediate past governor of
Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, took the decision to demolish
houses built with proceeds from kidnapping and those used
as kidnappers hideouts, the thinking was that the end of
abductions and similar crimes would soon come to an end
in the state. More than one year after the houses belonging
to suspected kidnappers were demolished at Oraifite in
Ekwusigo local government area and Uli in Ihiala local
government area, to commence the government action in
various parts of the state, the ‘business’, however, appears
to be thriving.
Also, barely one week after assuming office, Obi’s
successor, Chief Willie Obiano, literally, relocated to the
commercial city of Onitsha to begin a battle against
hoodlums who had, over the years, put fears in the
residents and those passing through the city. His first
action was to set up a special task force comprising the
police, the army and the navy to handle the issue of
ensuring security in the state.
The task force immediately swung into action forcing
hoodlums in Onitsha to relocate to neighbouring towns of
Obosi, Nkpor, Oba, while others fled to Asaba in Delta State.
The governor’s next action was to rid the state of
kidnappers and the first port of call was his home town,
Aguleri, where three buildings allegedly built by suspected
kidnappers were destroyed. More demolitions were to take
place at Azia in Ihiala local government area, Ogidi in
Idemili North local government area and Ojoto in Idemili
South local government area. Only last week, there were
similar demolitions at Okija in Ihiala local government area
and Nnewi in Nnewi North local government area.
So far, no fewer than 50 suspected criminals have been
paraded by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, in
Awkuzu in Oyi local government area, while about 11
houses have been demolished by the Obiano
administration. Similarly, over 200 kidnapping incidents
reportedly took place in Anambra in the last two years and
over N1 billion allegedly paid as ransom by family members
of kidnapped victims. But as efforts are made to curb the
incidence of kidnapping and other crimes, especially in the
light of the kidnappers’ houses demolition measure, more
youths engage in it, thereby posing more challenges to
government and security operatives.
*Arrested suspects
Often times, relations of the rich are the targets, apparently
to extort a fortune. Among those that had had the
misfortune of falling into the trap of kidnappers are the
traditional ruler of Ukpo in Dunukofia local government area
of Anambra State, Igwe Robert Eze, who is the younger
brother of the billionaire oil magnet and businessman,
Prince Arthur Eze.
Igwe Eze was kidnapped by a four –man gang who drove in
a green SUV into his palace in Ukpo as he returned from a
service at nearby St. Mary’s Anglican Church about 12
noon.
The royal father’s kidnappers demanded N100million, but
no member of the family is willing to say how much ransom
was eventually paid before the monarch regained his
freedom. Igwe Eze had to be flown abroad for eye treatment
as the kidnappers blindfolded him for about five days, an
action which affected his sight when he was released.
Igwe Eze was the fourth traditional ruler in Anambra State
to fall into the hands of kidnappers. The first was the
traditional ruler of Abagana in Njikoka local government
area, Igwe Patrick Okeke, who was abducted and taken to
Uzo Uwani area of Enugu State from where he was rescued,
while the traditional ruler of Adazi Nnukwu in Anaocha local
government area, Igwe Lawrence Oragwu, and that of
Ihembosi in Ekwusigo local government area, Igwe Jerome
Udechukwu, who were kidnapped last year, have not been
seen. It is feared that they might have died. Just like Igwe
Eze, Oragwu was kidnapped as he was going for early
morning church service.
There was also the case of the late Dr. Chidi Nwike, the
Anambra deputy governor under the Ezeife administration,
who was killed by his kidnappers because he allegedly did
not tell them the truth about his financial standing while he
was in their den. The family of Nwike, who was abducted in
Anambra State and taken to a bush in Delta State, had
allegedly raised N5 million for the kidnappers and sent
somebody to deliver the money at an agreed spot, only for
the kidnappers to kill the former deputy governor and the
person that brought the N5 million on the reason that an
alert of N30 million came into Nwike’s telephone as he was
about to be released and the kidnappers felt that his family
was not sincere.
Other high profile kidnap victims include the Anambra State
chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince
Kenneth Emeakayi, who was abducted at Nri junction along
Awka –Agulu road as he was returning to Awka; the
chairman of Nnewi Auto Parts dealers, simply known as
Iroko; a former chairman, Nnewi North local government
area, Mr. Ernest Obiora; a manager of Access Bank and a
cashier of the bank; a manager of Julius Berger Plc, who
was kidnapped while on holiday; a member of the state
House of Assembly, Dr Emeka Aniebonam; a manager of
CCC Construction Company and the chairman of Emeka
Offor Foundation, Sir Tony Obi.
There were also kidnap victims that allegedly paid
handsomely before being released. They include an
expatriate whose company was said to have paid N165
million ransom; a sister to the managing director of Orange
Drugs, Chief Ekenna, whose family reportedly paid N50
million; a younger brother of Chief G.U.O. Okeke, chairman
of GUO Group, whose family allegedly paid N35 million and
another unnamed top businessman whose family was said
to have paid N45 million.
Emeakayi, for instance, narrated his ordeal thus: “On
Sunday, the first day of December, 2013, I was on my way
to Awka from Ihiala, my local government, when, on
reaching Anyasoijiji, a junction between Agulu and Nise at
Agukwu Nri junction, one RAV4 baby Jeep overtook my car
and blocked me and about four young men inside the
vehicle, well armed with sophisticated weapons, opened fire
on me and my vehicle”.
Many kidnap victims in Anambra may be lucky to relive
their experiences, but there were others who died in the
hands of kidnappers. For instance, the decomposed body of
an 80 -year old Chief James Iloenyosi from Abagana, who
was kidnapped by gun men three days before his birthday,
was found in the bush by the police.
Pa Iloenyosi was the father of former Super Eagles player,
Mr. Chikelue Iloenyosi, who played professional football in
France and Turkey.
The octogenarian’s family was planning his 80th birthday
bash for 28 November 2013, but the kidnappers stormed his
house on the 25th and whisked him away. All attempts by
the police to locate and rescue him were unsuccessful until
his bones were found in a thick forest at Umueri in Anambra
East local government area.
The family, it was learnt, paid N1.5 million as ransom, but
the kidnappers said the amount was too little. After some
time, members of the family lost hope and resorted to
prayers. However, his skeleton was found in the forest
many months later.
Two persons admitted kidnapping the man, but claimed that
their original intention was not to kill him. It was gathered
that though the man was already dead, the kidnappers still
demanded money from the family who ignorantly gave them
the N1.5 million. When he gave up the ghost, the kidnappers
carried the corpse to a bush at Nneyi village in Umueri
community and dumped it there. Pa Iloenyosi was
recognized by the police and family members from the
clothes and cap he was putting on at the time he was
kidnapped.
Grandchildren from hell
Another victim, Madam Adafor Madueke, an 89 –year old
grandmother, was kidnapped by his grandchildren to make
money from their uncle who is also responsible for their
education. She was full of life as she was expecting her
children and grandchildren residing outside her Amaeku
village, Adazi Ani, in Anaocha local government area of
Anambra State to return for the last Christmas celebrations.
The period usually provided her the opportunity to meet her
loved ones and spend quality time with them.
Unknown to Madam Madueke, two of her grandsons,
Kingsley Chukwuebuka Madueke, 24, and Matthew Edozie
Madueke, 22, were allegedly planning evil against her. The
two, undergraduates, allegedly perfected plans with two
other students, Chukwunonso Onuzulike, 23, from Enugu
State and Gabriel Nnaji, 25, also from Enugu State, to
abduct the octogenarian for the purpose of extorting money
from their uncle who had been responsible for their
education over the years.
Chukwunonso, a graduate of political science of Anambra
State University, Igbariam campus and a suspected leader
of a cult group, the Black Axe Confraternity in the university,
as well as the other accomplice, Gabriel, who is a 400 –
level public administration student of the same university,
were said to have been contacted by Kingsley Madueke to
assist him in executing the job.
The first meeting among the four persons allegedly took
place on December 14, 2013 and by December 17, they had
concluded arrangement on how to kidnap the woman.
Though Gabriel Nnaji, the leader of the gang, was quoted as
saying he was worried about the age of the woman and told
her grandsons that the woman might not survive the ordeal,
Kingsley Madueke allegedly insisted that the job must be
done as they wanted to show off with the money from the
kidnapping during the Christmas celebration.
For the abduction, the four persons, on December 16, 2013,
allegedly snatched one of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University
shuttle buses in Awka with which they carried the woman to
a bush in Igbariam in Anambra East local government area
of the state and kept her there throughout the period they
were negotiating with members of the family. While
negotiation was going on, other members of the family
never imagined that two of their members, Kingsley and
Matthew, were the alleged brains behind the kidnap.
The suspected kidnap kingpins allegedly started negotiation
from N50 million and eventually settled for N3 million. For
payment of the ransom, the Madueke family was directed to
take the money to Obolo Afor, a border town between Enugu
and Benue states on December 23, 2013, while the woman
was released at Oyeagu, Abagana in Njikoka local
government area of Anambra State on December 24. One
week later, Madam Madueke died, apparently as a result of
her ordeal in the custody of the suspects.
Nnaji, the alleged leader of the gang, reportedly took N2
million as the boss and shared N1 million to the other five
accomplices, including the grandsons of the woman.
Matthew Madueke had spent only N20,000 from his share
before the men of the Directorate of State Security, DSS,
apprehended him and recovered N180,000.
Madam Madueke was kept in the mortuary for months
because the family found it difficult to raise funds for her
burial, while all the people involved in the kidnapping,
including her two grandchildren, were detained.
Looking sober in his handcuffs, Kingsley Madueke said he
decided to kidnap his grandmother because he and his
brother, Matthew, were finding things difficult financially in
school because their father was having family problems
with their uncle who stopped assisting them.
Kingsley said: “I felt that the only way to get money from
my uncle was by kidnapping our grandmother. At the time I
nursed the idea of kidnapping grandma, it never occurred to
me that she might not survive the hardship associated with
kidnapping because of her age. With her death and what is
happening to us, I have realized the grave mistake I made in
the first place.”I don’t know what will be my fate and that of
my brother and I don’t even know how we are going to face
members of our family. But my hope is that what had
happened may lead to reconciliation between my father and
my uncle.”
*Suspects… allegedly arranged grandmother’s kidnapping
Murder
There was also the pitiable incident of the murder of a 16-
year –old SS2 student, Miss Chisom Nwoye, who the
kidnappers killed because they found it difficult to kidnap
her mother, Mrs. Vero Nwoye, a pharmacist. Mrs. Nwoye,
wife of a former member of the Anambra State House of
Assembly, was driving with her daughter and as they
approached the popular Borromew Hospital roundabout in
Onitsha, when a five –man kidnap gang overtook their car
and tried to abduct Mrs. Nwoye, but because they did not
succeed, they shot and killed Chisom.
Mrs. Nwoye and her daughter, a student of Mercy Girls
Secondary School, Umuoji, left her pharmacy shop located
at No 6 Obosi Street, Nkpor and were driving home in her
Mercedes Benz 190 with registration number, BR 439 LSD,
when the suspected kidnappers blocked their car at the All
Hallows Seminary junction beside the late Zik’s home in
Onitsha, pulled her out of her car and dragged her into their
own.
Apparently realizing that the young lady sitting beside her
might live to tell the story, one of the hoodlums turned back
and shot her on the chest and she died on the spot.
Honourable Nwoye, her father, said after that incident: “My
wife, seeing the condition of our daughter, refused to enter
their car as she fell down and sobbed uncontrollably
thereby attracting the attention of many people to the scene.
Angered by what my wife did, they also shot her on the leg
and, after about 15 minutes of struggle with the kidnappers,
they left her and drove away in their car.”
The victim was rushed to a private hospital where she was
confirmed dead.
The former lawmaker said it was the second time
kidnappers attempted to abduct his wife, recalling that, on
December 27, 2012, the hoodlums trailed her as she left her
shop and, at the same spot where they killed his daughter,
tried to kidnap her, but she jumped out of their vehicle and
ran away.
Most wanted kidnapper
Worried by the high rate of kidnapping, the Anambra State
House of Assembly passed a law empowering the state
governor to demolish any house belonging to a kidnapper.
That was how the houses of the suspect in Oraifite in
Ekwusigo local government area became the first to be
demolished.
A public spirited individual, who was said to be worried
about the happenings at Orafitite, where the suspect was
said to have been celebrating crime for years, decided to
alert security operatives. In fact, it was said that almost
every crime committed in the state had the suspect’s
signature as members of his gang were scattered all over
the state and beyond.
A former commissioner of police in Anambra State, Mr. Bala
Nasarawa, said: “The suspect was the most wanted armed
robbery/kidnapping kingpin responsible for series of high
profile kidnappings, armed robberies and murder, including
the kidnap of Igwe of Ihembosi in Ekwusigo local
government area and the kidnap of the traditional ruler of
Ukpo in Dunukofia local government area, Igwe Robbert
Eze. His gang was also responsible for the killing of five
policemen at Okija on 22nd June, 2012, as well as murder
of three policemen at Ozubulu on 2nd April, 2012 and the
violent attack on Amichi and Ukpor police stations in Nnewi
South local government area on 4th April, 2012.”
According to Nasarawa, some of the guns and ammunition
recovered at the suspect’s house were those carted away
when the gang invaded the police stations at Amichi and
Ukpor during which the two stations were razed by
members of his gang”.
Those who knew the suspected kingpin say he exhibited
stupendous wealth and claimed to be doing business in
Ghana, but his actual business was kidnapping of people
and collecting millions of naira as ransom. At the last count,
he was said to have used the money made from kidnapping
people to build hotels in Ghana as well as Rivers, Abia and
Anambra states and paraded fleet of SUVs. The mansion he
built in his village, which was demolished by the state
government, was said to have been started and completed
within few months. At the time of his arrest, he was said to
be coming into his compound in three SUVs and blaring
siren.
During the raid on his compound, the police were said to
have discovered sophisticated arms and ammunition in a
plastic cover concealed underground. The arms and
ammunition include 27 AK 47 rifles, one K2 rifle, two
type-06 rifles, one general purpose machine gun, one rocket
launcher, 17 rockets, six pump action guns, three dane
guns, one Barrett pistol and 13 rocket grenades, as well as
12,800 rounds of AK 47 live ammunition, 530 rounds of LAR
ammunition, 95 rounds of GPMG live ammunition, 1,000
rounds of K2 live ammunition and 143 magazines.
Apart from an underground structure in the compound
suspected to be a place for keeping victims, there was also
an extended building with toilet facilities behind the
bungalow suspected to be a place he was using as a cell. In
a small building attached to the wall near the gate was a
shrine allegedly used by the father of the suspect, Mr.
Patrick Ifedike, alias Ogbujingidi, a native doctor.
Before the demolition of the buildings, it was discovered
that people of the community, who were not happy with
what was happening in the area, had organized a mob
action and torched the buildings, an indication that they
were no longer prepared to tolerate the suspect’s lifestyle.
As one person from the community put it, the young
man was showing a bad example to other youths.
The President General of Oraifite Improvement Union, Mr.
Raphael Nwike, described the demolition of suspect’s
buildings as a divine intervention, lamenting that the area
had been held captive for a long time by criminal elements.
He believed that with what happened in his community,
youths would realize that all that glitters is not gold and
that the best way to living a good life is to engage in
genuine business.
After the demolition of the suspect’s gang, it was thought
that kidnapping was over in Anambra State, but more
chilling developments were to come. At Aguleri, the home
town of Governor Obiano, another dreaded kidnap gang, led
by a suspect, emerged. The gang allegedly built three
houses in the town to serve as its den. One of the houses,
an executive bungalow, was said to have been built at a
cost of N17 million. “We decided that it was a big risk to
build houses in our compounds and that was why we
bought land and built the houses solely for keeping our
victims,” the suspected gang leader said.
The suspected gang leader, from Oghe in Enugu State, who,
allegedly, provided security operatives with information on
kidnapping activities in Anambra State since his arrest, said
that himself, one Onyeka and Chigozie, (aka 30) from Ogidi
in Anambra State, decided to build the six- bedroom
bungalow with proceeds from alleged kidnappings to serve
as the hideout for their human cargo (victims) when former
Governor Obi decided to demolish houses of kidnappers in
the state. The house, he said, was built by a contractor and
member of the gang whose name he gave as Winer and who
is still at large.
There is also a shrine in the compound which, he said,
“sacrifices of goats and even human beings were made to
guarantee our safety during operations.” One unique feature
of all the buildings built by the kidnappers was that they
were all located in remote areas of the communities.
Jail term abroad
The suspect, said to have, in the past, travelled to Malaysia
and served a one –year jail term at Awka Prison in 2011
said he went into full- time kidnapping because of the easy
money in it. He added that he was earlier involved in armed
robbery before discovering that it paid better to go into
kidnapping.
He said: “We decided that it was a big risk to build houses
in our compounds and that was why we bought land and
built the houses solely for keeping our victims. Kidnapping
is so easy, unlike armed robbery that could pitch one
against the police. In the business of kidnapping, we share
duties and everybody means his duty post. There is a
member whose duty is to spot somebody that can fetch us
good money. My duty is just to carry the victim to our den
and leave the scene. Those in communication then take
over for negotiation with family members of the victims. We
have somebody who feeds the victims and after payment
had been made, I go back to take the victim to an agreed
safe place where his relation would collect him.”
According to him, many people who live abroad, especially
in South Africa, Malaysia, China, Dubai and other African
countries make their money from kidnapping in Nigeria and
pretend that such monies were made abroad.
He added: “Many members of our gang return to Nigeria
three times in a year and carry out kidnap operations, make
their money and send the money to their families, telling
that they were sending the money from abroad. They would
thereafter fly out of the country and enjoy part of the money
they made through kidnapping in Nigeria and when they are
short of money, they come back and we carry out some
operations to raise money.”
Though Governor Obiano is determined to stamp out
kidnapping and other forms of crime in the state, there are
issues worrying him, among which are the snail –speed
manner in which criminal cases are handled and the alleged
involvement of some policemen in kidnapping.
At a security summit he organized shortly after assuming
office, Obiano said: “I have absolute confidence in our
security system and that is why we will continue to support
them to achieve our objectives of securing lives and
property.
”I have the will, zeal and determination to rid Anambra
State of criminals and all hands must be on deck. I want to
assure our people that any useful information they provide
to the security agencies will be put to use.
“This administration is determined to create an environment
that is conducive for investors to come here. What we are
doing on security will be continuous as we will continue to
comb all nooks and crannies of the state to fish out
criminals and bring them to book.
“We shall provide more modern crime fighting equipment
and fast- moving, combat –ready automobiles to the entire
security apparatchik in the state to increase their response
rate to emergency situations.
“We have also begun the process of compiling a
comprehensive data base on all vigilante groups in
Anambra State with a view to designing some important
training programmes that will help their crime detection and
fighting efficiency. We are also seriously considering the
issue of reward and other incentives that will boost their
morale and help them brace up for the task of recreating a
safer society in Anambra State.”
The governor however expressed worry that no single case
of kidnapping had been successfully tried in the state in
past three years, adding that he had taken up the issue with
the state chief judge who assured him that it is possible to
reduce pending criminal cases in court by 50% in the next
one year.
On the allegation that there were some bad eggs in the
police who are allegedly working hand in glove with some
criminals, he was said to have suggested a massive transfer
of policemen working in the state, but no sooner were the
transfers announced than those affected began to bribe
their way back to Anambra.
Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, took the decision to demolish
houses built with proceeds from kidnapping and those used
as kidnappers hideouts, the thinking was that the end of
abductions and similar crimes would soon come to an end
in the state. More than one year after the houses belonging
to suspected kidnappers were demolished at Oraifite in
Ekwusigo local government area and Uli in Ihiala local
government area, to commence the government action in
various parts of the state, the ‘business’, however, appears
to be thriving.
Also, barely one week after assuming office, Obi’s
successor, Chief Willie Obiano, literally, relocated to the
commercial city of Onitsha to begin a battle against
hoodlums who had, over the years, put fears in the
residents and those passing through the city. His first
action was to set up a special task force comprising the
police, the army and the navy to handle the issue of
ensuring security in the state.
The task force immediately swung into action forcing
hoodlums in Onitsha to relocate to neighbouring towns of
Obosi, Nkpor, Oba, while others fled to Asaba in Delta State.
The governor’s next action was to rid the state of
kidnappers and the first port of call was his home town,
Aguleri, where three buildings allegedly built by suspected
kidnappers were destroyed. More demolitions were to take
place at Azia in Ihiala local government area, Ogidi in
Idemili North local government area and Ojoto in Idemili
South local government area. Only last week, there were
similar demolitions at Okija in Ihiala local government area
and Nnewi in Nnewi North local government area.
So far, no fewer than 50 suspected criminals have been
paraded by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, in
Awkuzu in Oyi local government area, while about 11
houses have been demolished by the Obiano
administration. Similarly, over 200 kidnapping incidents
reportedly took place in Anambra in the last two years and
over N1 billion allegedly paid as ransom by family members
of kidnapped victims. But as efforts are made to curb the
incidence of kidnapping and other crimes, especially in the
light of the kidnappers’ houses demolition measure, more
youths engage in it, thereby posing more challenges to
government and security operatives.
*Arrested suspects
Often times, relations of the rich are the targets, apparently
to extort a fortune. Among those that had had the
misfortune of falling into the trap of kidnappers are the
traditional ruler of Ukpo in Dunukofia local government area
of Anambra State, Igwe Robert Eze, who is the younger
brother of the billionaire oil magnet and businessman,
Prince Arthur Eze.
Igwe Eze was kidnapped by a four –man gang who drove in
a green SUV into his palace in Ukpo as he returned from a
service at nearby St. Mary’s Anglican Church about 12
noon.
The royal father’s kidnappers demanded N100million, but
no member of the family is willing to say how much ransom
was eventually paid before the monarch regained his
freedom. Igwe Eze had to be flown abroad for eye treatment
as the kidnappers blindfolded him for about five days, an
action which affected his sight when he was released.
Igwe Eze was the fourth traditional ruler in Anambra State
to fall into the hands of kidnappers. The first was the
traditional ruler of Abagana in Njikoka local government
area, Igwe Patrick Okeke, who was abducted and taken to
Uzo Uwani area of Enugu State from where he was rescued,
while the traditional ruler of Adazi Nnukwu in Anaocha local
government area, Igwe Lawrence Oragwu, and that of
Ihembosi in Ekwusigo local government area, Igwe Jerome
Udechukwu, who were kidnapped last year, have not been
seen. It is feared that they might have died. Just like Igwe
Eze, Oragwu was kidnapped as he was going for early
morning church service.
There was also the case of the late Dr. Chidi Nwike, the
Anambra deputy governor under the Ezeife administration,
who was killed by his kidnappers because he allegedly did
not tell them the truth about his financial standing while he
was in their den. The family of Nwike, who was abducted in
Anambra State and taken to a bush in Delta State, had
allegedly raised N5 million for the kidnappers and sent
somebody to deliver the money at an agreed spot, only for
the kidnappers to kill the former deputy governor and the
person that brought the N5 million on the reason that an
alert of N30 million came into Nwike’s telephone as he was
about to be released and the kidnappers felt that his family
was not sincere.
Other high profile kidnap victims include the Anambra State
chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince
Kenneth Emeakayi, who was abducted at Nri junction along
Awka –Agulu road as he was returning to Awka; the
chairman of Nnewi Auto Parts dealers, simply known as
Iroko; a former chairman, Nnewi North local government
area, Mr. Ernest Obiora; a manager of Access Bank and a
cashier of the bank; a manager of Julius Berger Plc, who
was kidnapped while on holiday; a member of the state
House of Assembly, Dr Emeka Aniebonam; a manager of
CCC Construction Company and the chairman of Emeka
Offor Foundation, Sir Tony Obi.
There were also kidnap victims that allegedly paid
handsomely before being released. They include an
expatriate whose company was said to have paid N165
million ransom; a sister to the managing director of Orange
Drugs, Chief Ekenna, whose family reportedly paid N50
million; a younger brother of Chief G.U.O. Okeke, chairman
of GUO Group, whose family allegedly paid N35 million and
another unnamed top businessman whose family was said
to have paid N45 million.
Emeakayi, for instance, narrated his ordeal thus: “On
Sunday, the first day of December, 2013, I was on my way
to Awka from Ihiala, my local government, when, on
reaching Anyasoijiji, a junction between Agulu and Nise at
Agukwu Nri junction, one RAV4 baby Jeep overtook my car
and blocked me and about four young men inside the
vehicle, well armed with sophisticated weapons, opened fire
on me and my vehicle”.
Many kidnap victims in Anambra may be lucky to relive
their experiences, but there were others who died in the
hands of kidnappers. For instance, the decomposed body of
an 80 -year old Chief James Iloenyosi from Abagana, who
was kidnapped by gun men three days before his birthday,
was found in the bush by the police.
Pa Iloenyosi was the father of former Super Eagles player,
Mr. Chikelue Iloenyosi, who played professional football in
France and Turkey.
The octogenarian’s family was planning his 80th birthday
bash for 28 November 2013, but the kidnappers stormed his
house on the 25th and whisked him away. All attempts by
the police to locate and rescue him were unsuccessful until
his bones were found in a thick forest at Umueri in Anambra
East local government area.
The family, it was learnt, paid N1.5 million as ransom, but
the kidnappers said the amount was too little. After some
time, members of the family lost hope and resorted to
prayers. However, his skeleton was found in the forest
many months later.
Two persons admitted kidnapping the man, but claimed that
their original intention was not to kill him. It was gathered
that though the man was already dead, the kidnappers still
demanded money from the family who ignorantly gave them
the N1.5 million. When he gave up the ghost, the kidnappers
carried the corpse to a bush at Nneyi village in Umueri
community and dumped it there. Pa Iloenyosi was
recognized by the police and family members from the
clothes and cap he was putting on at the time he was
kidnapped.
Grandchildren from hell
Another victim, Madam Adafor Madueke, an 89 –year old
grandmother, was kidnapped by his grandchildren to make
money from their uncle who is also responsible for their
education. She was full of life as she was expecting her
children and grandchildren residing outside her Amaeku
village, Adazi Ani, in Anaocha local government area of
Anambra State to return for the last Christmas celebrations.
The period usually provided her the opportunity to meet her
loved ones and spend quality time with them.
Unknown to Madam Madueke, two of her grandsons,
Kingsley Chukwuebuka Madueke, 24, and Matthew Edozie
Madueke, 22, were allegedly planning evil against her. The
two, undergraduates, allegedly perfected plans with two
other students, Chukwunonso Onuzulike, 23, from Enugu
State and Gabriel Nnaji, 25, also from Enugu State, to
abduct the octogenarian for the purpose of extorting money
from their uncle who had been responsible for their
education over the years.
Chukwunonso, a graduate of political science of Anambra
State University, Igbariam campus and a suspected leader
of a cult group, the Black Axe Confraternity in the university,
as well as the other accomplice, Gabriel, who is a 400 –
level public administration student of the same university,
were said to have been contacted by Kingsley Madueke to
assist him in executing the job.
The first meeting among the four persons allegedly took
place on December 14, 2013 and by December 17, they had
concluded arrangement on how to kidnap the woman.
Though Gabriel Nnaji, the leader of the gang, was quoted as
saying he was worried about the age of the woman and told
her grandsons that the woman might not survive the ordeal,
Kingsley Madueke allegedly insisted that the job must be
done as they wanted to show off with the money from the
kidnapping during the Christmas celebration.
For the abduction, the four persons, on December 16, 2013,
allegedly snatched one of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University
shuttle buses in Awka with which they carried the woman to
a bush in Igbariam in Anambra East local government area
of the state and kept her there throughout the period they
were negotiating with members of the family. While
negotiation was going on, other members of the family
never imagined that two of their members, Kingsley and
Matthew, were the alleged brains behind the kidnap.
The suspected kidnap kingpins allegedly started negotiation
from N50 million and eventually settled for N3 million. For
payment of the ransom, the Madueke family was directed to
take the money to Obolo Afor, a border town between Enugu
and Benue states on December 23, 2013, while the woman
was released at Oyeagu, Abagana in Njikoka local
government area of Anambra State on December 24. One
week later, Madam Madueke died, apparently as a result of
her ordeal in the custody of the suspects.
Nnaji, the alleged leader of the gang, reportedly took N2
million as the boss and shared N1 million to the other five
accomplices, including the grandsons of the woman.
Matthew Madueke had spent only N20,000 from his share
before the men of the Directorate of State Security, DSS,
apprehended him and recovered N180,000.
Madam Madueke was kept in the mortuary for months
because the family found it difficult to raise funds for her
burial, while all the people involved in the kidnapping,
including her two grandchildren, were detained.
Looking sober in his handcuffs, Kingsley Madueke said he
decided to kidnap his grandmother because he and his
brother, Matthew, were finding things difficult financially in
school because their father was having family problems
with their uncle who stopped assisting them.
Kingsley said: “I felt that the only way to get money from
my uncle was by kidnapping our grandmother. At the time I
nursed the idea of kidnapping grandma, it never occurred to
me that she might not survive the hardship associated with
kidnapping because of her age. With her death and what is
happening to us, I have realized the grave mistake I made in
the first place.”I don’t know what will be my fate and that of
my brother and I don’t even know how we are going to face
members of our family. But my hope is that what had
happened may lead to reconciliation between my father and
my uncle.”
*Suspects… allegedly arranged grandmother’s kidnapping
Murder
There was also the pitiable incident of the murder of a 16-
year –old SS2 student, Miss Chisom Nwoye, who the
kidnappers killed because they found it difficult to kidnap
her mother, Mrs. Vero Nwoye, a pharmacist. Mrs. Nwoye,
wife of a former member of the Anambra State House of
Assembly, was driving with her daughter and as they
approached the popular Borromew Hospital roundabout in
Onitsha, when a five –man kidnap gang overtook their car
and tried to abduct Mrs. Nwoye, but because they did not
succeed, they shot and killed Chisom.
Mrs. Nwoye and her daughter, a student of Mercy Girls
Secondary School, Umuoji, left her pharmacy shop located
at No 6 Obosi Street, Nkpor and were driving home in her
Mercedes Benz 190 with registration number, BR 439 LSD,
when the suspected kidnappers blocked their car at the All
Hallows Seminary junction beside the late Zik’s home in
Onitsha, pulled her out of her car and dragged her into their
own.
Apparently realizing that the young lady sitting beside her
might live to tell the story, one of the hoodlums turned back
and shot her on the chest and she died on the spot.
Honourable Nwoye, her father, said after that incident: “My
wife, seeing the condition of our daughter, refused to enter
their car as she fell down and sobbed uncontrollably
thereby attracting the attention of many people to the scene.
Angered by what my wife did, they also shot her on the leg
and, after about 15 minutes of struggle with the kidnappers,
they left her and drove away in their car.”
The victim was rushed to a private hospital where she was
confirmed dead.
The former lawmaker said it was the second time
kidnappers attempted to abduct his wife, recalling that, on
December 27, 2012, the hoodlums trailed her as she left her
shop and, at the same spot where they killed his daughter,
tried to kidnap her, but she jumped out of their vehicle and
ran away.
Most wanted kidnapper
Worried by the high rate of kidnapping, the Anambra State
House of Assembly passed a law empowering the state
governor to demolish any house belonging to a kidnapper.
That was how the houses of the suspect in Oraifite in
Ekwusigo local government area became the first to be
demolished.
A public spirited individual, who was said to be worried
about the happenings at Orafitite, where the suspect was
said to have been celebrating crime for years, decided to
alert security operatives. In fact, it was said that almost
every crime committed in the state had the suspect’s
signature as members of his gang were scattered all over
the state and beyond.
A former commissioner of police in Anambra State, Mr. Bala
Nasarawa, said: “The suspect was the most wanted armed
robbery/kidnapping kingpin responsible for series of high
profile kidnappings, armed robberies and murder, including
the kidnap of Igwe of Ihembosi in Ekwusigo local
government area and the kidnap of the traditional ruler of
Ukpo in Dunukofia local government area, Igwe Robbert
Eze. His gang was also responsible for the killing of five
policemen at Okija on 22nd June, 2012, as well as murder
of three policemen at Ozubulu on 2nd April, 2012 and the
violent attack on Amichi and Ukpor police stations in Nnewi
South local government area on 4th April, 2012.”
According to Nasarawa, some of the guns and ammunition
recovered at the suspect’s house were those carted away
when the gang invaded the police stations at Amichi and
Ukpor during which the two stations were razed by
members of his gang”.
Those who knew the suspected kingpin say he exhibited
stupendous wealth and claimed to be doing business in
Ghana, but his actual business was kidnapping of people
and collecting millions of naira as ransom. At the last count,
he was said to have used the money made from kidnapping
people to build hotels in Ghana as well as Rivers, Abia and
Anambra states and paraded fleet of SUVs. The mansion he
built in his village, which was demolished by the state
government, was said to have been started and completed
within few months. At the time of his arrest, he was said to
be coming into his compound in three SUVs and blaring
siren.
During the raid on his compound, the police were said to
have discovered sophisticated arms and ammunition in a
plastic cover concealed underground. The arms and
ammunition include 27 AK 47 rifles, one K2 rifle, two
type-06 rifles, one general purpose machine gun, one rocket
launcher, 17 rockets, six pump action guns, three dane
guns, one Barrett pistol and 13 rocket grenades, as well as
12,800 rounds of AK 47 live ammunition, 530 rounds of LAR
ammunition, 95 rounds of GPMG live ammunition, 1,000
rounds of K2 live ammunition and 143 magazines.
Apart from an underground structure in the compound
suspected to be a place for keeping victims, there was also
an extended building with toilet facilities behind the
bungalow suspected to be a place he was using as a cell. In
a small building attached to the wall near the gate was a
shrine allegedly used by the father of the suspect, Mr.
Patrick Ifedike, alias Ogbujingidi, a native doctor.
Before the demolition of the buildings, it was discovered
that people of the community, who were not happy with
what was happening in the area, had organized a mob
action and torched the buildings, an indication that they
were no longer prepared to tolerate the suspect’s lifestyle.
As one person from the community put it, the young
man was showing a bad example to other youths.
The President General of Oraifite Improvement Union, Mr.
Raphael Nwike, described the demolition of suspect’s
buildings as a divine intervention, lamenting that the area
had been held captive for a long time by criminal elements.
He believed that with what happened in his community,
youths would realize that all that glitters is not gold and
that the best way to living a good life is to engage in
genuine business.
After the demolition of the suspect’s gang, it was thought
that kidnapping was over in Anambra State, but more
chilling developments were to come. At Aguleri, the home
town of Governor Obiano, another dreaded kidnap gang, led
by a suspect, emerged. The gang allegedly built three
houses in the town to serve as its den. One of the houses,
an executive bungalow, was said to have been built at a
cost of N17 million. “We decided that it was a big risk to
build houses in our compounds and that was why we
bought land and built the houses solely for keeping our
victims,” the suspected gang leader said.
The suspected gang leader, from Oghe in Enugu State, who,
allegedly, provided security operatives with information on
kidnapping activities in Anambra State since his arrest, said
that himself, one Onyeka and Chigozie, (aka 30) from Ogidi
in Anambra State, decided to build the six- bedroom
bungalow with proceeds from alleged kidnappings to serve
as the hideout for their human cargo (victims) when former
Governor Obi decided to demolish houses of kidnappers in
the state. The house, he said, was built by a contractor and
member of the gang whose name he gave as Winer and who
is still at large.
There is also a shrine in the compound which, he said,
“sacrifices of goats and even human beings were made to
guarantee our safety during operations.” One unique feature
of all the buildings built by the kidnappers was that they
were all located in remote areas of the communities.
Jail term abroad
The suspect, said to have, in the past, travelled to Malaysia
and served a one –year jail term at Awka Prison in 2011
said he went into full- time kidnapping because of the easy
money in it. He added that he was earlier involved in armed
robbery before discovering that it paid better to go into
kidnapping.
He said: “We decided that it was a big risk to build houses
in our compounds and that was why we bought land and
built the houses solely for keeping our victims. Kidnapping
is so easy, unlike armed robbery that could pitch one
against the police. In the business of kidnapping, we share
duties and everybody means his duty post. There is a
member whose duty is to spot somebody that can fetch us
good money. My duty is just to carry the victim to our den
and leave the scene. Those in communication then take
over for negotiation with family members of the victims. We
have somebody who feeds the victims and after payment
had been made, I go back to take the victim to an agreed
safe place where his relation would collect him.”
According to him, many people who live abroad, especially
in South Africa, Malaysia, China, Dubai and other African
countries make their money from kidnapping in Nigeria and
pretend that such monies were made abroad.
He added: “Many members of our gang return to Nigeria
three times in a year and carry out kidnap operations, make
their money and send the money to their families, telling
that they were sending the money from abroad. They would
thereafter fly out of the country and enjoy part of the money
they made through kidnapping in Nigeria and when they are
short of money, they come back and we carry out some
operations to raise money.”
Though Governor Obiano is determined to stamp out
kidnapping and other forms of crime in the state, there are
issues worrying him, among which are the snail –speed
manner in which criminal cases are handled and the alleged
involvement of some policemen in kidnapping.
At a security summit he organized shortly after assuming
office, Obiano said: “I have absolute confidence in our
security system and that is why we will continue to support
them to achieve our objectives of securing lives and
property.
”I have the will, zeal and determination to rid Anambra
State of criminals and all hands must be on deck. I want to
assure our people that any useful information they provide
to the security agencies will be put to use.
“This administration is determined to create an environment
that is conducive for investors to come here. What we are
doing on security will be continuous as we will continue to
comb all nooks and crannies of the state to fish out
criminals and bring them to book.
“We shall provide more modern crime fighting equipment
and fast- moving, combat –ready automobiles to the entire
security apparatchik in the state to increase their response
rate to emergency situations.
comprehensive data base on all vigilante groups in
Anambra State with a view to designing some important
training programmes that will help their crime detection and
fighting efficiency. We are also seriously considering the
issue of reward and other incentives that will boost their
morale and help them brace up for the task of recreating a
safer society in Anambra State.”
The governor however expressed worry that no single case
of kidnapping had been successfully tried in the state in
past three years, adding that he had taken up the issue with
the state chief judge who assured him that it is possible to
reduce pending criminal cases in court by 50% in the next
one year.
On the allegation that there were some bad eggs in the
police who are allegedly working hand in glove with some
criminals, he was said to have suggested a massive transfer
of policemen working in the state, but no sooner were the
transfers announced than those affected began to bribe
their way back to Anambra.
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