By Samuel Ibezim
The youths of Luwe-Nneiri Autonomous Community in Isiala Mbano LGA of Imo State have gone on rampage and destroyed the house of one Mr. Isaac Ukeje over his daughter’s arrest and confession on the kidnapping of a 5 year old female child at Ogbor Ekpere arena while playing with her fellow children on last Sunday.
According to eye witness account of a former Councilor, Osuachara Ward, Hon. Julius Enemaku, the kidnap suspect whose name is Chiamaka Ukeje returned on Sunday, 21st January 2018 from Portharcourt with an unknown female friend and disappeared by Monday evening with the baby to an unknown place. That same Sunday, the family of Ebeofor complained to the neighbors of the sudden disappearance of their child who was playing with children at Ogbor Ekere where the mother sells things. On enquiry from the children, they confirmed that the victim was seen eating soursop fruit given to her by Chiamaka Ukeje. This convinced the neighbors and few youths to intensify their search and it was then discovered that the Chiamaka Ukeje has disappeared with her strange friend to Portharcourt.
The angry youths reassembled next day and on solid suspicion, agreed that Chiamaka must know of the childs where about as she was alleged to have sold one of her own children sometime ago, and that her mother has a case to settle with the community over suspected selling of a mother alongside her four kids to unknown destination for over two years.
Hurriedly, the Police was invited to the scene and Chiamaka’s mother was arrested for investigation. This prompted the gathering of more youths and Chiamaka’s father was coerced to put to a call to her to return with her strange friend and failure to do so, they would be forced to raze down his house. The father obliged and the lady returned with her friend late in the day and they were handed over to the Police.
However, on 24th January, afraid of delaying justice, unprecedented youths gathered and marched to Isiebu Police Station where they demanded for the release of the ladies to them so that they can do their investigation in their traditional style so as to unravel the truth. There, the Divisional Police Officer sues for peace while addressing them and assured them not to panicky as justice is guaranteed. That through investigation so far, they are making progress as the suspects are cooperating in the case. The youths retired back to the scene of the event.
Later on, Mr. Ejike Ebirim who is the vigilante coordinator in the ward went with the D.P.O to Portharcourt to unravel and break into the kidnap ring. Luckily, the innocent victim was recovered while three women relating to child trafficking were arrested and taken to Isiebu Police Station for further investigation.
Further investigation revealed that their traditional ruler, Eze Godson B. C Ekejiuba was informed of the crime and he sued for thorough investigation as he only want peace and progress in his community.
When our reporter arrived at the scene, the fiery youths were seen burning valuable properties of the house on the road with women and child cheering them. In unison, they condemned the suspects family for involving on child trafficking as it is inhumane. They destroyed both the shop and the house of the kidnappers father and warned accomplices to wait for their turn.
In a chat with some of the youths that preferred anonymity, they justified their action of burning the property and destroying the house as government should appreciate them for helping to uphold the law of the state government on destroying of kidnappers house. According to one of them, “Sir, what we are doing is government approved as we know that there is law guiding against caught kidnappers and child traffickers. You see, we only helped the government to hasten justice by this our act as government has a load of serious things to do for Imo welfare.”
Speaking with the Divisional Police Officer on phone, he directed the reporter to the Police Pubic Relation Officer. He said that the destroying of properties by the youths is unfortunate and the Police was not aware as no formal report was registered. That when they later got a security alert on this, they stormed to the place but it was deserted.
