The Igbos are actually an endangered species!!

Kidnappers targeting Igbo bizmen in Benue, Cross River

Recently, there have been rising cases of kidnapping of persons of Igbo extraction in Benue and Cross River states. Daily Trust took a closer look, and reports.

Kidnapping is a hot-button topic in Nigeria, with the crime being committed on a daily basis, with alarming frequency. But recently, persons of Igbo extraction appear to be targeted, specifically in two states, Benue and Cross River. 
Daily Trust findings in Benue State showed that between January, 2013 and May, 2016, at least 20 Igbo businessmen were kidnapped within Gboko and its environs and ransom estimated at over N150 million paid for their release.Those kidnapped in Gboko within the period include:  Chief Christian Obetta, 2013; Chief Matthew Agbasi, twice in 2014; Chief Matthew Anaduaka, January, 27, 2015; UgochukwuIkegwounu, February 5, 2015; Ogechukwu Ezedo, September 18, 2014 and Chukwuka Aneigbo, 2015.

Others are Chukudi Okafor, May 22, 2015; AbuchiOkoye, April 5, 2014; OkechukwuOkoli, July, 2015; Chukudi  Ezeja, October 8, 2015; Emmanuel Adifu, November 2015; Mrs. Maria Ibe, January 18, 2016 and Ozor Ogbashi, April 24, 2016.
While some of the victims were fortunate to regain their freedom, others were not, like the case of a Katsina-Ala-based Leonard Nwankwowho hailed from Ogbu in Orumba North Local Government Area in Anambra State and was kidnapped on September 5, 2014. He was killed and his body dumped under the River Katsina-Ala Bridge in Katsina-Ala town probably because his family failed to pay the ransom by deadline.
Also, another Gboko-based business man, Augustine Mouneme, was shot and killed in his Gboko GRA residence. Daily Trust gathered that the kidnappers sent a text message to his phone to give them money or they would kill him. He probably had ignored the warning and on April 8, 2016, gunmen stormed his home and shot him.
As a result of this, Igbo businessmen in Gboko are complying with text messages ordering them to pay certain amount or risk being kidnapped or killed.
The latest case in Gboko was that of Mrs. Chinwe Ezewaka, who was picked up on May 9, 2016 at Mkar area in her shop while her husband, Godwin Ezewaka was trading at the town’s main market. While narrating her ordeal, she said at about 7:00pm, a certain man walked in to buy some items. But while the transaction was going on, a Toyota Corolla car screeched in front of the building and the customer pulled out a gun, collected some valuables and ordered her to enter the car. She was then blindfolded and taken to an unknown destination and held for four days while her abductors negotiated with her husband. She refused to eat until her release days later, when her captors took her on a motorbike to a point where she traced her way back home.
Mrs. Chinwe, who had lived in Gboko for 16 years with her husband, terrified, said she is no longer interested in living in the town anymore. Her husband said the kidnappers contacted him and demanded an initial sum of N8 million, which he negotiated for days before his wife was freed. He did not disclose whether he paid a ransom. 
Mr. Ezewaka also said many Igbo traders are leaving Gboko, and he urged security agencies to act fast before the economy of the town collapses. 
For Chief Anaduaka, who lived in Gboko for over 45 years, the kidnappers had pretended to be buying some cartons of drinks from his shop when suddenly a Toyota Corolla car drove in with some men and kidnapped him at gunpoint. He spent five days in captivity before he was freed after his relatives were reached and negotiated with.
Victims expressed worry that in all cases, security agencies appeared not to have done much in apprehending suspects. 
An Igbo leader and a former Special Assistant to Benue State Government, Emeka Anyaogu, who has lived in the state since 1975, described the recent kidnap of Igbo people in the state as unfortunate. “It is not only the Igbos that are being kidnapped but it is unfortunate that they are the majority,” he said. According to him, the reason they have become the preferred target of kidnappers cannot be ascertained. 
President of Igbo Community in Makurdi, Comrade Everest Ewu, said: “It is an act of envy.”
But the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Moses Yamu, said that the command had successfully rescued some victims without paying ransom.
Also, in Cross River State, Igbos have become targets of kidnappers recently, mostly targeted because they are successful businessmen with prospects of paying juicy ransoms. 
Last week, the Igbo Unity Forum confirmed that at least 35 of their members have so far been kidnapped in the state since January this year. 
The Coordinator of Igbo Unity Forum, Mazi Okechukwu Ebubedike, lamented the situation where Igbo businessmen have become preferred targets of kidnappers. “We are made targets of kidnapping because abductors think we have money. but unknown to them, we borrow much of the money to do our business. It’s sad that no-one is bothered because victims are mainly of Igbo extraction,” he said.
Ebubedike said they would resist the situation because they are in the state to do business and assist in its development, adding that they would no longer fold their arms and watch. He also said that ransoms ranging from N5million to N30milion have been paid, with many abductees exposed to physical harm. 
Last week, seven Igbo entrepreneurs were kidnapped in Calabar, among them Lolo Peterson, wife of Igwe Peterson, a building materials magnate, Mr Charles Nnaji, Mr Etim Okon and S.T Anthony, all residing on Garden Street, as well as Barrister Igwe Celestine and one Chief Okoronkwo.
There is also the case of Chief Okpalawho who hails from Imo State, released after a week in captivity after a N5million ransom payment. 
But assuming deadly dimensions, Chief Ekeanya Okpala, a popular businessman in Calabar, who was also kidnapped, died when he was taken to hospital upon his release. 
The Special Adviser to the Cross River State on Security, Jude Ngaji, said the kidnap saga rocking the state has become embarrassing and the state has launched a full-scale action against the perpetrators. He said security operatives have arrested kingpins of the kidnap syndicate in the last few weeks saying many of them come from outside the state to commit the crime.
While the state police spokesman, Mr John Eluu, also confirmed that they have made arrests in this regard,the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, John Gaul Lebo, announced that the legislature was about to pass a bill to make kidnapping a capital offence in the state. 
But in Benue and Cross River states, apprehension among Igbo businessmen is gradually turning into abject terror, consequences of which could affect the economies of both states, with the ripple effect spreading. “The kidnappers are holding us to ransom figuratively and literally,” a respondent said.

http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/kidnappers-targeting-igbo-bizmen-in-benue-cross-river/149683.html#Bc35ya3SIr1tK8B7.99

Cc lalasticlala please come and push this to frontpage so that people will be cautious henceforth!!

na them dey kidnap them self's

we have always been their target

ever811:
na them dey kidnap them self's

. Really? You're actually pathetic! People are kidnapping igbos because they are rich and can pay a ransom!!

xmich:
we have always been their target

we must be vigilante this time around...

This is bad!