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The government of Anambra State has dismissed the reported attack by dreaded herdsmen in Ukwulu, a town in Dunukofia local government area of the state.
The alleged incident reportedly happened when the victims came back home to celebrate the marriage ceremony of their daughter.
NewsBand reports that in a Save Our Soul (SOS) message addressed to governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, one of the victims while recounting their ordeal said they were abducted by the criminal elements as they were navigating to Ukwulu through Abba Junction after ELDI.
She said they were about crossing the road when a large number of cattle obstructed their movement and immediately, some group of herdsmen came out from their hiding and ordered them into the bush with guns.
Speaking further, she said their hands were tied behind them and even some farmers who saw them could not help the situation.
According to the narrator, she and her maid were raped in front of her husband countless times. The husband also was not spared as he was sexually molested too.
The victim said, “I am a native of Ukwulu, married to Nawgwu. On the 17th of April, 2024, we came back to celebrate the marriage of my daughter. As we were driving to Ukwulu through Abba Junction, after ELDI, we saw cows crossing the road and stopped. Immediately, the cattle men blocked the road and brought out guns and ordered us into the bush.
“They tie our hand behind us.They started beating us. Some farmers saw us and look away. They did not help us. In the bush, they rape me and my maid before my husband every time without mercy. The third man tear my husband trousers and continue to rape him in the anus.
“They took our phone and ordered us to start calling our friends and family. They demand for 100 milliom for each of us or they will kill us. After 3 days of continuing to rape us by this cattle men my maid was sick and vomiting blood. My husband is dying as his anus is teared to pieces. I cannot stand up properly due to continue rape. I am wishing I died in that bush.
“My son in law gathered 15 million and they direct him to MAIN market Onitsha to buy cash. It is obvious the fulani people are working with the money changers.
“They released us on Saturday and my son in law rush us to hospital at Asaba.
Your Excellency please save your people by having that bush surrounded by security people. Please chase out these evil cow men from Anambra.
“Please stop them from wasting lives. Even as we are leaving, they brought two other boys captive. That bush is their base. Those boys will still be there now.
“Please help call Igwe Ukwulu and Nawgwu to take responsibility. I am now a living dead due to fulani in my town. Even the villagers cannot react again maybe due to fear.”
But in a statement signed by the chief press secretary to the governor, Christian Aburime described the story as another concocted narrative, void of credibility and substance and mischievously syndicated to paint a scenario of insecurity within the peaceful state.
Aburime while quoting the traditional ruler of Ukwulu, Igwe Peter Anukwu Uyanwa, in the statement denounced the abduction and rape story. He said that nothing of such happened in the community.
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He also said that police authorities in Anambra state, through its spokesman, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, has confirmed that no such incident of abduction and rape has been reported or verified.
Part of the statement reads, “The Anambra State Government has debunked a recent, trending story of abduction and rape that allegedly occurred in Ukwulu, a town in Dunukofia Local Government Area of the state.
“In recent times, the state government has observed that certain individuals, motivated by political agendas, have persisted in spreading false and baseless stories in an attempt to undermine the peace and security enjoyed by Ndi Anambra and residents of our state.
“The trending story, which surfaced on various online platforms demanding the attention of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo CFR, was found to be another concocted narrative, void of credibility and substance and mischievously circulated to paint a scenario of insecurity within our peaceful state.
“The supposed female victim of the abduction, in her unsigned and poorly articulated tale, claimed to have been kidnapped alongside her husband and housemaid by Fulani herders near Abba Junction in Ukwulu community, where they were purportedly taken into the bush and endured days of heinous acts before being released upon payment of ransom.
“However, the traditional ruler of Ukwulu, Igwe Peter Anukwu Uyanwa, has unequivocally denounced the story of abduction and rape as patently false. He said that nothing of such happened in his community.
“Also, the Anambra State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, has confirmed that no such incident of abduction and rape has been reported or verified.
“Thus, the absence of a credible source and the denial from the traditional ruler of Ukwulu and state police command strongly indicate the malicious intent behind this fabricated story. It is evident that faceless individuals, driven by ulterior motives, have engaged in a false alarm to tarnish the image of our state and create unwarranted fear among our people.
“Anambra State, under the vigilant leadership of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all Ndi Anambra, residents and visitors alike.
“The Governor urges the public to disregard the rampant fake news and baseless allegations by remaining vigilant against attempts to sow fear of insecurity within the state.
“The government also encourages the public to rely on verified sources of information and refrain from spreading unverified claims that may destabilise our society.
“To report security related matters and convey security information at any time, the public is encouraged to reach security agencies in the state through any of the following lines: 07039194332, 08039334002 and 07039896429.
“All organs of the state government remain resolute in the commitment to uphold the rule of law and foster a peaceful, secure and prosperous environment for Ndi Anambra and all residents of the state.”
