Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu has offered N5 million reward to anyone who can volunteer useful information that could lead to the rescue of the kidnapped former Chief Medical Director of the State Teaching Hospital, ABSUTH, Aba, Prof. Uwadinachi Iweha.
Iweha, who was kidnapped on Sunday, 6th June 2022 at about 4 pm in front of his residence, at Umuajameze, Ezeleke village, Umuopara in Umuahia South Council Area is yet to be seen since the incident.
The situation has heightened fears about the safety of the popular Medical Doctor.
The Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, had embarked on an indefinite strike over Iweha’s abduction.
The Doctors had said there was no way they would continue to provide maximum services since they are no longer safe and urged the State government and security apparatus to do all that is necessary to secure Iweha’s release.
In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Chris Ezem, the government said it is deploying all necessary measures and resources to ensure the release of the Medical Doctor.
“Government is offering a handsome reward of the sum of N5 million to anyone or group with useful information that will lead to the rescue of Prof. Iweha from his abductors and the arrest of the abductors. Government will continue to discharge its responsibility of securing the lives and properties of all residents of the state,” the statement read in part. Assuring that security and welfare of the people remain paramount to the Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu’s administration, the government tasked residents to be security conscious and report any movements to the Security Agencies.
In a related development, as security challenges ranging from kidnapping, killings, robbery surge, the Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (OMPAN) Abia Chapter, has warned that insecurity in Abia may become unruly if nothing urgent is done.
Recalling that Abia State in recent time has witnessed high wave of kidnappings within and outskirts of the state which has continued to be a source of concern to Abians.
Recall also that many natives of the Uturu community and students of the Abia State University, (ABSU), Uturu, have been abducted and made to pay ransom while others lost their lives in the den of the captors.
In a statement issued by the Association jointly signed by the Chairman, Comrade Paddy Anyatonwu and the Secretary, Comrade Steve Unegbu, the Association stressed the need for Abia state government to direct Security Operatives to immediately curb the menace by scrutinizing activities and occupants of the state’s forests, valleys and swampy areas believed to be occupied by the outlaws perpetuating dastardly acts.
The Association called on the Abia State government and authorities saddled with the responsibility of maintaining peace and order especially the Police and Army, to do the needful, adding that the arrest and prosecution of the kidnappers terrorizing the Okigwe – Uturu – Isiukwuato road will bring sanity to the State.
The Association advised that security experts should be engaged who will bring their wealth of experience and map out strategies to work with Security Operatives for prompt solutions.
OMPAN also demanded for proactive measures to be taken in nipping the situation in the bud before it becomes uncontrollable.
The statement reads, “We advise the Abia government to strategise and bring an end to the high rate of kidnapping of students and motorists in the area; desperate situations need desperate measures.
To tackle the level of insecurity within and outskirts of Abia State, we suggest the constitution of a joint task force headed by security experts, not politicians to stem the rising tide of kidnappings.
Abia roads have become a source of terror for motorists and passengers who are mostly students. Many people including indigenes of Uturu community have been kidnapped and ransom paid while others lost their lives. There are more than six security checkpoints along that road, yet people are still being kidnapped.
The Association, called on Abia State government to urgently take action to end the kidnapping and killing of people plying the Okigwe – Uturu- Isuikwuato road, stressing that many people have been killed as no day passes without hoodlums kidnapping motorists who are mostly students.
If proactive and strategic measures are not taken, investors and visitors will be scared away from Abia which will then have a negative effect on the developmental pace of Abia”.
Abia OMPAN added that as a media institution saddled with the responsibility of keeping the society abreast of developments, she can no longer keep mute as ugly developments continue unabated, stressing that it is part of their responsibility to society to act as a watchdog.
OMPAN pledged that it will not relent in speaking volume via her media anchors on the primary role of the government which is to protect the lives and property of her citizenry.
