Controversy trails kidnap & release of Nnewi traditional ruler, Obi of Uruagu after abduction

More controversies have continued to trail the “kidnap” and subsequent “release” of Nnewi traditional ruler, the Obi of Uruagu, Chief Charles Afam Obi, who was reportedly “kidnapped” by unknown gunmen on February 13, 2021.

Chief Afam Obi was, according to reports, kidnapped along with his mum on their way back from a burial in Oraifite, a town in Anambra State.

ElombahNews had reported on February 15 that Chief Obi was seen at home on Sunday, February 14, without fanfare.

An insider in the Obi of Uruagu’s Palace informed ElombahNews that the “kidnapped” Chief sneaked into his palace on Sunday, February 14.

Following the report, however, this medium was inundated with calls and claims trying to counter the report with some claiming that the Chief was still in kidnappers den.

However, some noteworthy facts are begging for clarification which was germane to the ElombahNews report:

1. Shortly after the report, the Chief surfaced. Ironically, though, he has not issued a statement as to his whereabouts and conditions of his release till date.
2. Neither the Anambra State government not the State Police Command has published details of the supposed kidnap and release.
3. The reportedly kidnapped Obi was “seen” online on his personal WhatsApp platform, Facebook web, and Messenger applications interacting with users.
   On Facebook Messenger, he was seen “active” by 1:31AM; on Facebook web, he was active as at 02:07AM; while on WhatsApp, when we checked on his profile, he was “last seen at 9:06PM” the previous evening.
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4. The state recently witnessed a similar scenario when a former Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Dr. Christian Madubuko, suddenly disappeared in another alleged kidnap. Again, no statement, no investigation report.
5. The state touts itself as the safest state, yet high profile kidnaps are reported on frequent basis.
6. An insider informed that N22 million was paid as ransom for his release, yet another insider quoted Obi as saying ‘no ransom was paid’.

An Nnewi indigene, who confided in ElombahNews that the mystery surrounding the purported kidnap of the traditional ruler is yet to be completely unfurled, asked:

“Why did reports say that he was kidnapped after a burial ceremony that took place in Oraifite with his mum, yet his car was recovered in Ichi? Where was he actually kidnapped?

“Bearing in mind the “ransom was paid”, “no ransom was paid” saga, what are the real conditions of his release?

“How could someone in kidnappers den be seen freely crisscrossing various social media platforms late into the night?

“Why are all authorities keeping mum over the “kidnap” and “release”?”

A Facebook user, APGA Alaigbo, who obviously had reservations on the purported kidnap and release, wrote on his wall:

“The state is not trying to protect self again with the slogan created “The safest state”, even if it is a Fux, but keeping the Cover still put Blanket over the issues..

“Commissioner said he was Kidnapped, when he came back, the state would’ve interrogated or gotten verifiable statement from him to assure the state that we are still safe, but that doesn’t fly.

“Now Obi of Uruagu was said to be Kidnapped and now released, not even statement or investigation to make sure things don’t degenerate..

“Please the Government should step into the Void and make some assured statements…”

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Another online media wrote: “It was alleged that Obi Afam Obi was kidnapped at Ichi as he was attending some personal errands after attending a funeral of one of his relatives.

“It remains a mystery under what circumstances that the Obi Uruagu was released by the kidnappers or when he was actually rescued or brought home through a negotiated deal.”

Anxious Nnewi residents in particular and Anambrarians in general are looking forward to a “saner” explanation to the kidnap scenarios from the part of the affected Obi of Uruagu, the Anambra State Government, as well as the Anambra State Police Command.

Effort to reach the PPRO of Anambra State Police Command, CSP Haruna Mohammed, was not successful as he declined comment.