Gunmen kidnap UK-based man in Anambra
A United Kingdom-based man, Mr. Ikechukwu Okeke, was kidnapped by gunmen in Anambra on January 10th, 2025, at around 7:30 PM.
The incident occurred in his Amaokpala community, located in Orumba North Local Government Area, while he was returning home from the funeral service of his cousin, Mrs. Obiageli Okoli.
Mr. Okeke was released three days later after an undisclosed amount was paid to secure his freedom. The kidnapping was reported by the Diaspora members of the Amaokpala community during a press conference held in the community on Wednesday. They expressed their outrage over the increasing insecurity in the state.
The community urgently called on the State Governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo, to take swift and decisive action to address the growing security challenges that threaten lives and property in the region.
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Mr. Okeke, a professional based in the United Kingdom and elder brother to Dr. Chukwudi Okeke, chairman of Oxfordshire Cherwell District Council, had returned to Nigeria on December 27, 2024, to attend his cousin’s funeral and visit his ailing parents before the tragic event occurred.
According to the community, the kidnapping took place on January 10th at approximately 7:30 PM, as Mr. Okeke was returning home from the funeral of his cousin, Mrs. Obiageli Okoli. The kidnappers, who had been trailing him, struck as he stopped at the gate of his residence. They forced him out of his vehicle and abducted him in a waiting Toyota Sienna.
The following morning, the kidnappers contacted the family and demanded a ransom of ₦100 million. After intense negotiations, an undisclosed sum was paid to secure his release. Mr. Okeke was freed unharmed after three days in captivity.
The Amaokpala community has expressed outrage over the incident, with many questioning Governor Soludo’s silence on the worsening security situation in the state. As the chief security officer, the community holds the governor responsible for ensuring the safety of all residents.
A visibly shaken Mr. Okeke shared his trauma and attributed the rise in insecurity in Anambra and Nigeria to widespread youth unemployment and the lack of social security. He called for urgent investments in industries and job creation to address the root causes of crime.
The Amaokpala community, which holds the Okeke family in high regard, is demanding immediate government action to restore security and prevent further incidents. They believe that effective governance and a focus on long-term solutions will significantly reduce criminal activities and foster peace throughout the state.
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