The family of Uchenna Eke who was kidnapped by gunmen three weeks ago at his residence in Igbo-Etche, in the Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, have called for his unconditional release.
Uchenna was reportedly abducted by a group of men dressed in police and army uniforms on Friday, December 2, 2022.
Speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt, a legal practitioner and cousin to the victim, Chidi Eke, called on the state government to intervene in the matter.
Chidi said the victim’s wife, who witnessed how the gunmen broke into their house, had been distraught since the incident happened.
He noted that the family was worried that Uchenna had spent over three weeks with his captors without anyone reaching out to the family.
The lawyer said, “According to his wife, who was an eyewitness, around 1 am, a group of young men dressed in the army and police uniforms came, flashing torchlight into their rooms through the window.
“So, he (Uchenna) asked to know who they were. The response he got was that they were security men.
“Then, he said, ‘Why are you knocking on my door, I don’t know you.’ Then they broke his door and forced him into a Sienna already parked in his compound.
“They put him inside the waiting vehicle. Up till today, no news about him. His mobile telephone is not connecting. They (kidnappers) have not called for ransom and they have not said anything.”
Chidi said the matter was reported at the Umuebulem Police Station in Etche LGA.
Efforts to reach the spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, for a reaction were unsuccessful.
