Group condemns alleged abduction of youth leader by Ebonyi Governor

Amah Samuel-Ugbor Nnachi,
South-East Bureau Chief

A socio-politico group, the Igbo National Council (INC) has kicked against the suspected abduction of the President of Ohanaeze Youth Council, Igboayaka Igboayaka, calling on the authorities to intervene.

The INC accused Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru of being behind Igboayaka’s abduction.

President of Igbo National Council, Comrade Chilos Godsent, said this in a statement, on Monday, reiterating the development would further degenerate insecurity in the South-East region.

He said, “The Nigerian Youths, in solidarity with Youths of the Igbo Nation, have condemned in strong terms the illegal and unwarranted Neo Mafia Gestapo style abduction of the President of Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) by the Ebonyi State Police Command.

“The ugly incident which took place on Saturday 8th February 2025 at Works Layout, Owerri, Imo State few minutes after Comrade Igboayaka .O. Igboayaka was declared the winner of the fourth National Election Convention of Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) which took place in Owerri is viewed to be politically motivated as the candidate of the Ebonyi State Governor may have lost the bid for the Presidency of Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC).

“Speculation has it that the illegal abduction of the President of Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) – Comrade Igboayaka .O. Igboayaka by the Ebonyi State Police Command was on the instruction of the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State – His Excellency Francis Ogbonna Erishi Nwifuru whose candidate in the election lost to Comrade Igboayaka .O. Igboayaka.

“The abduction of Comrade Igboayaka .O. Igboayaka in Owerri by a team of Police from a neighboring State without due process calls for the review of the Security Architecture in South East Region of Nigeria.

“This Neo Mafia Gestapo style abduction of a popular Youth activist brutally violates the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as Amended.

“Finally, we are calling on His Excellency – Governor Francis Ogbonna Erishi Nwifuru to immediately order for the unconditional release of the President of Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) – Igboayaka .O. Igboayaka.

“Furthermore, we are calling on the good people of Nigeria to rise to the condemnation of this brazen intimidation of Igbo Youths by the Governor of Ebonyi State.”

Meanwhile, the Ebonyi State Police Command has said it never acted on the governor’s instance to kidnap the Igbo youth leader, adding the allegation was baseless.

In a statement on Monday issued by the Police spokesperson, SP Joshua Ukandu, the Command averred Igboayaka was arrested based on a petition against the commissioner of the police office in the state.

The Ebonyi State Command is aware of the information circulating in the media alleging the abduction of the president of Ohaneze Youth Council, Comr. Igboayaka Igboayaka on February 8, 2025.

“To clarify, Comr. Igboayaka Igboayaka was arrested by officers from the command based on a petition submitted to the commissioner of police, which alleged he disseminated false information capable of truncating peace and destabilizing communities in Ebonyi State.

“The command is currently investigating these allegations, and once the investigation is concluded, he will be charged in court.

“Furthermore, the command reiterates its commitment to carrying out its mandate within the bounds of the law, while respecting the rights of individuals,” the statement said.

When contacted for comment, the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation in Ebonyi State, Engr. Jude Okpor asked our Correspondent to refer to the Police position on the matter as the State Government’s reaction.