There are kidnappers but the story of Obiọma Nwankwo, popularly known as Osisikankwu will always remain indelible in the history of kidnapping in Nigeria. His was a story of an obdurate fellow who recruited more than 3000 men into the nefarious job of kidnapping that terrorised the whole of Abia State especially Aba and environs, even down to Obigbo in Rivers State.READ FULL CONTENT>>>>>>
If you had lived in Aba circa 2007- 2010, you would understand definitely what I am saying. It got so terrible that at a point that people living across Ariaria junction of Aba was sacked as the kidnappings got intensified. People packed their belongings and relocated to their villages, many big cats in Aba and environs left Igboland, Abia State government’s officials were not spared. Hundreds were abducted, tortured, killed and made to cough out millions to free themselves from the shackles of captivity. Aba and surrounding Ngwa villages almost became a ghost area as people left in their thousands to escape being the next bird of sacrifice.
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In my area then at the periphery of Aba, just near Ariaria international market at Abayi Ariana, many big men were kidnapped, even our land lord at Ngọzi Avenue by Faulks road Aba. They were later released after their people had paid the agreed ransome. They equally came for the MD of Calif Hospital in my area but the renowned surgeon escaped and fled Aba. It was not a nice experience. There were also ugly stories of rape and murder. My parents was asking me to return back to village because of the news they’re getting from Aba. There were numerous gun battles in broad daylight. Many people lost their lives.
Osisikankwu is from Ogwe area of Ukwa West LGA of Abia State. He succeeded in organising a formidable kidnap gang of about 3000 mean men solely for abduction and killing.
They mainly target the affluent class, expatriates and highly placed government officials of Abia State. The Government of Abia State then under the leadership of Dr Theodore Ahamefula Orji was handicapped. Nothing could be done as hordes of Aba residents were either killed by the rampaging Aba kidnap gang.
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1. Three British Nationals and a Columbian contract staff of NetcoDietmann working at Shell’s Power Plant in Afam VI, Obigbo LGA of Rivers State were kidnapped by gunmen on January, 12. They barricaded their vehicle on their way back to Obigbo at Owaza junction in Ukwa West LGA of Abia State. They were whisked away after shooting to death a mobile police officer escorting them. The white men were identified as John Bennet, Kelvin Gray and Martin Phillip, all Britons with Fabian Sanchez as the only Columbian. NetcoDietmann and Rivers State government paid a huge ransome before they were freed.
2. In April and May of 2010, two German and three Chnese nationals together with Nine Nigerians working for Nigerian Steel Company, Aba, were kidnapped by Osisikankwu’s gang. They were later released after the payment of millions of naira.
3. On July 10, one Mrs Victoria Ori, the wife of an rich bull from Ohafia was abducted by a 4-member gang who demanded for a whooping sum of ₦20 million naira. Mrs Ori was released after a reasonable amount was paid.
4. Just a day after the kidnap of Mrs Ori, three Journalists, together with their driver, travelling through Aba after a meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State were whisked away at Umuafuoka junction near Ukpakiri, Obingwa LGA of Abia State by Osisikankwu’s men. The kidnapped Journalists include: Wahab Oba, Lagos State Chairman of NUJ, Adolphus Okonkwo, secretary of Zone G of the NUJ, Slyvester Okereke, acting secretary, Lagos, NUJ, Sola Oyeyipo, a Lagos-based journalist and their driver. A reliable source disclosed to Saharareporters that ₦30 million was paid before the men were released from the kidnapper’s lair.
5. On Tuesday, August 24, Osisikankwu’s gang led by a young thug called ‘Okwute’ STONE robbed five commercial banks in the Osisioma area of Aba, Killing all policemen and security on guard. The affected banks were closed down till date.READ FULL CONTENT>>>>>>
