An alleged abduction occurred on Friday night in Amaedim Ngwogwo Community, Ishiagu, Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, reportedly linked to a land dispute.
The victim, Orji Ogbonna, was reportedly taken away by men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), with his face allegedly covered, leaving local residents in a state of anxiety.
Ogbonna, a local leader and businessman, was taken by a team of NSCDC officials led by Innocent Igwe, alias Iwuchukwu, on Friday evening around 7:30 pm at his shop in Amaedim Ngwogwo Ishiagu, Ivo LGA. It is believed that Ogbonna is currently in the custody of the NSCDC Headquarters in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.
Ogbonna’s wife, Onyekachi, who is nine months pregnant, tearfully recounted the incident and called on the Commandant-General of NSCDC to address the actions of the state command. She urged disciplinary action against Innocent Igwe for allegedly using his position to unlawfully detain her husband.
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“I was surprised about what happened. My husband was just whisked away yesterday. I think the people that did it are Civil Defence people. They masked him, put him in their vehicle, and drove off. The abduction of my husband has been causing me inexplicable pains and anxiety. No harm should happen to him at all. I am close to my delivery date, and he is supposed to go with me to the hospital,” she said.
In an interview with journalists, team leader Innocent Igwe stated that Ogbonna was arrested for obstructing community decisions regarding land distribution. Igwe confirmed the arrest and explained that Ogbonna was taken to the NSCDC headquarters in Abakaliki for questioning.
“Orji Ogbonna was arrested by Civil Defence operatives, of which I was in their company. The suspect was arrested because he refused to follow the government’s directive on the resolution of the land matters affecting my community. We wanted him to know that the government was in charge as there’s a White Paper on that matter. He was asking which government, and the government has arrested him. This is the outcome of the directive of the Commissioner for Border Peace and Conflict Resolution,” Igwe said.
However, investigations revealed that the Commissioner for Border Peace and Conflict Resolution, Mr. Ilang Donatus, did not order Ogbonna’s arrest and that no White Paper on the land dispute originated from his office.
The State Commandant of NSCDC, Mr. Willie Bassey, responded to inquiries, stating: “Good afternoon my brother. You can come to the office and get the full update. A report was about the suspect, and his arrest was effected, and investigation is ongoing.”
The IPO handling the case, Mr. Ilo Chinweuba, declined to provide details, referring journalists to the State Commandant. The Ivo Divisional Officer in charge of NSCDC also refused to comment, merely acknowledging her position before disconnecting the call.
