A kidnap victim in Enugu State, Ene Chibueze, has raised concerns over his safety following the release of two suspects arrested in connection with a land dispute in Umuabi community, Udi Local Government Area, after a serving state lawmaker, Okechukwu Aneke, reportedly stood as their surety.
Chibueze alleged that the suspects had threatened his life before he was abducted by unknown gunmen on October 26, 2026. He claimed he was held for three days and released after a ₦2 million ransom was allegedly paid.
In a petition to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 13, he linked the incident to a prolonged land dispute involving alleged threats, assaults and destruction of agricultural properties worth millions of naira.
He expressed fear after the two suspects were reportedly released and returned to the community, allegedly boasting about their freedom. He also called on the Inspector-General of Police to direct the Force Anti-Kidnapping Unit to take over the investigation and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
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However, the Zone 13 Police Command defended the release, describing the lawmaker as a reliable surety and insisting that bail is a constitutional right.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Samuel Oha, clarified that the suspects had not been cleared and investigations were ongoing. He added that Chibueze could not identify his abductors by their faces or voices, while investigators were tracing the ₦2 million ransom payment to identify possible perpetrators.
The police maintained that no direct link had been established between the land dispute and the kidnapping, assuring that investigations would continue.
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