Insecurity: Imo Masses Urge Abductors to Release Ngozi Ogbu

Residents of Imo State have passionately appealed to the abductors of Chief (Hon.) Ngozi Ogbu to kindly release him, citing humanitarian concerns for his wife and children.

Chief Ogbu, a prominent politician in the state who recently underwent a successful kidney transplant, was abducted last weekend by a group claiming to be fighting against the growing insecurity in Imo State, particularly in the Okigwe Zone.

According to the kidnappers, Ogbu was targeted due to his alleged involvement in the introduction of the controversial Ebubeagu Security Network, which has become feared in many parts of the state.

In a viral video released by the group, the abductors stated that the only condition for Ogbu’s release is the immediate withdrawal of Ebubeagu operatives from their base in Okigwe, which they identified as the “White House.”

In response to the abduction, many Imo residents—especially members of the elite—have joined voices in appealing to the kidnappers to release Chief Ogbu unharmed, emphasizing the urgent need for peace and dialogue in addressing the state’s security.

An organization founded and funded by Dr Mathew Chima Amadi (Gburugburu), the The Mazi Organization (TMO) has beavily criticized Ogbu’s kidnap, indicting the Governor Hope Uzodimma administration and calling for the release of the victim.

In a statement signed by the TMO spokesperson, Mr Cajetan Duke Akuta, Amadi, said, “The attention of the Mazi Organization (TMO) has been drawn to a shocking viral video showing Hon. Ngozi Ogbu, held hostage by bandits, who have seized control of numerous communities in Imo State.

“This horrific incident is a stark reminder of the unresolved kidnap of the Okigwe Zonal Chairman of the All Progressives Congress APC, Hon. Kenneth Nwachukwu earlier this year and other similar incidents that were not publicized.

“The rampant insecurity that has engulfed our state, turning peaceful areas into zones of terror and lawlessness is totally  unacceptable.The video of a distinguished citizen of this state – a former Local Government Chairman of Okigwe Local Government Area, LGA,  and legislator at the mercy of criminals is a disgrace and height of wilful assault on our collective psyche as a people and a direct challenge to the safety of every Imo citizen”.

Calling for Ogbu’s release, Amadi said, “TMO stands firmly with Hon. Ogbu, his family, and all affected communities, in demanding his immediate and safe release and an end to the reign of terror in Imo State”.

Amadi noted that this heartbreaking development underscoresmd the utter collapse of governance in Okigwe LGA and its environs – where bandits operated with impunity, unchecked by any meaningful state intervention.

The businessman turned politician stated that the failure to protect prominent but vulnerable citizens like Hon. Ogbu   revealed a catastrophic breakdown in the security apparatus – leaving Imo citizens insecure and hopeless.

Amadi insisted  that “This latest ugly incident is not merely a singular event but a glaring consequence of systemic neglect, where the safety of Imo residents has been sacrificed on the altar of political expediency. The people deserve something better—they deserve a government that prioritizes their safety and well-being.

“The Uzodimma-led administration’s claim of securing lives and properties in Imo State has been exposed as blatant falsehood by this latest tragic development.

“Indeed, the kidnap of Hon. Ogbu and takeover of entire Imo communities by bandits shatter the illusion of safety peddled by the state government.

“The provision of security for Imo Citizens and residents is one of the core and fundamental duties of government – therefore,  Governor Uzodimma must either take decisive actions to restore security in the state or step aside for leadership capable of addressing this existential crisis. Empty promises will no longer suffice in the face of such brazen criminality”.

He demanded urgent and coordinated action from state to secure  Ogbu’s safe release and dismantle the criminal network terrorizing every part of the state.

TMO is of the opinion that the current insecurity situation in the state requires robust intelligence operations, strengthened security deployments, and genuine collaboration with local communities to root out banditry. We call for transparency in these efforts and accountability for any lapses that have allowed this crisis to fester. The organization charges thus, “The safety of Imo citizens and residents, must be non-negotiable, and TMO will not rest until tangible results are achieved”.

In his response to the kidnap, the controversial PDP national secretary, Sen Samuel Anayanwu otherwise known as Samdaddy, called on the Imo State Government as well as the security agencies to act accordingly to effect the kidnapped release.

According to him, “Hon Ngozi Ogbu is a good man, peaceful, sincere, faultless and good governance campaigner. Seeing him die for committing no crime will be so devastating, worrisome and condemnable”.

Anyanwu added, “He has played developmental politics without grudge, rancour and acrimony. It will be undemocratic, wicked, insensitive and disheartening for government to ignore the request by Hon Ogbu for his immediate release to be able to rejoin his family.

“In a saner clime, the safety and freedom of an innocent citizen is much important to the government than any other project. While calling on relevant authorities to join hands to safe  Ogbu from captivity, further expressed optimism that his release will go a long way to rate how government responds to the needs of its citizens”.

A lawyer who doubles as the president general of Olu Owerre, a sociocultural organization, Ikemba Martin Opara, provided grounds why Ogbu should be released. In his opinion, “For the sake of humanity and the innocent children of Hon. Ngozi Ogbu , let us all pray and urge his abductors to release him unhurt.

“The Police Public Relations Department Imo State Command DSS unofficial should reach the police authorities to consider withdrawing tactically from the spot the abductors mentioned, so that we can have our brother back.

“The ESN members holding Hon. Ogbu should know that his safety is of utmost importance and we should be our brother’s keeper”.

Meanwhile, an Imo based social media commentator who also is a media aide to Governor Hope Uzodimma,  Onwuasoanya Fcc Jones, saw  things differently. He argued that Ogbu’s kidnap was a result of “conplicit opposition”.

Onwuasoanya took a swipe at Anyanwu for blaming the Imo State Government on Ogbu’s abduction. “Across Imo State, hundreds, if not thousands of people have been abducted, and many, lost their lives in the process. At every tragic occasion, Senator Samuel Anyanwu maintains a very loud silence.

“On the few occasions he managed to speak, he had never proffered any solution or made any attempt to blame the terrorists behind these dastardly acts, rather, he chooses, to pander to their whims and propagate their narrative, projecting them as the victims, while portraying government and and security agencies as the aggressors. This, I understand is deliberate as he and other pretentious opposition elements in the State allegedly consider the activities of these terrorists as necessary to advance their selfish political goals”, he enthused.

He continued, “The abduction of Hon. Ngozi Ogbu, whose health is said to be in very fragile condition, is condemnable, and any effort made to save him is encouraged. However, such efforts would not include the abdication of the government’s responsibility towards the protection of lives and properties of citizens of every part of Imo State, including, Okigwe. The government will not and should not concede a single centimetre of territory to non-State actors, as that would not even guarantee the safe return of Hon. Ngozi Ogbu”.

Onwuasoanya even hit Anyanwu harder, “Imolites must take adequate note of individuals championing or promoting Samdaddy’s terrorist messaging of withdrawing State security agents from criminal ridden areas in order to allow these criminals a free reign to continue to perpetrate all manners of atrocities against Imolites. Such individuals must be marked and treated as terrorist agents”, he highlighted.

In fact, Ogbu’s colleagues, under the platform of Former Members of Imo State House of Assembly, have, through their chairman, Hon Ugochukwu Nzekwe, appealed to his abductors, to free him.

“The Forum of Former Members of Imo State House of Assembly (FOMIHA) has received with deep shock and grave concern the disturbing news of the abduction of our brother and colleague, Hon. Ngozi Ogbu, from Ihube in Okigwe LGA.

“Hon. Ogbu, who recently lost his beloved mother, was on his way to his community to consult on arrangements for her burial when he was kidnapped. Just yesterday, a most disturbing video surfaced, showing him in a dehumanized condition, with his captors issuing chilling threats to take his life if certain conditions were not met.

“This development is not only heartbreaking but also totally unacceptable. Hon. Ogbu is a peaceful man, a lover of youths, and one who has over the years touched the lives of many young people across Okigwe. He bears no grudges against any group or individuals and does not deserve to go through this kind of avoidable agony—especially at this critical moment of mourning and given his fragile health condition.

“We in FOMIHA are calling on all men and women of goodwill, both within and outside Imo State, to rise in unison and act swiftly towards his immediate release. We particularly charge all security agencies operating in Imo to swing into full action and ensure that Hon. Ogbu regains his freedom within the shortest possible time. The world is watching Imo State.

“We are specifically appealing to His Excellency, the Governor of Imo State, to deploy the full machinery of government to secure Hon. Ogbu’s release without further delay. This is a test of leadership, and history will not forgive inaction at such a critical moment.

“Imo cannot afford to let this ugly incident drag on. The life of Hon. Ngozi Ogbu must be saved now”.

It must be pointed out that Ogbu was a member of Imo House of Assembly and a director general in Samuel Anyanwu Governorship Campaign Organization in 2023. He was preparing for his mother’s burial when he was taken into captivity.