Nnewi Traditional Ruler, His Highness, Obi Charles Afamefuna Obi (Ogidi IV) has narrated his ordeal in the hands of kidnappers.
It will be recalled that Obi Charles Obi who is the Traditional Ruler of Uruagu-Nnewi was kidnapped on Friday, 12th February, 2021, in Orafite, on his way to attend the burial of the wife of the Traditional Ruler of Orafite, His Royal Highness, Igwe Dr. Dan Udoji.
Speaking to our correspondent, Obi Charles spoke on his experience in the hands of his abductors and how he was finally freed after a ransom was paid.
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“On February 12, I attended the burial ceremony of my mother’s elder brother, in Uru-Dunu, Ifite Oraifite, in Ekwusigo council of Anambra State. On return to the palace, I informed those in the palace that I needed to be somewhere, and that I would be back soon.
“Upon driving out, on Nkwo-Nkwo Road, I observed that a Camry car was trailing me closely, but I remained alert and unwavering. Seeing that they were up to something, I abruptly conferred the road leading to Ichi mortuary in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State, but they followed me.
“When they intercepted me, fully armed and masked young boys came down from the car, one of them held the handle of my car door, threatening me with gun (AK-47), since he was not able to open the door, he used the butt of the gun to break my screen and door glass, the others started shooting sporadically into the air. I had to surrender by turning off the engine and also opened the door. They searched my car, picked up my phone, and we drove off in their car while they covered my face with mask. They were four masked men, two seated behind with me in the middle, while the other two were in the front row.
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“Whenever we arrive at any checkpoint, the kidnappers would remove their face masks, and will help me remove mine too, and demand for cooperation. They posed as my police escorts throughout the journey.
“Presumably, around 2am, they stooped to move into the den (hideout), due to the mask on my face, I got my hand entangled with wire gauze, which caused bruises on my right arm.
“Two days later, precisely on Sunday, my abductors informed me that there was a planned protest in my community, concerning my kidnap. They ordered me to instruct the palace to ensure the protest did not hold or they will take my life.
“For the first time, they gave me my phone to make calls for that purpose. I called my palace Secretary but got no response, I called my wife who picked my call, I pleaded with her to direct the palace secretary to make sure that the protest is stopped.
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“Throughout my stay, they fed me and made sure I never lacked water, as they believed that my life was necessary for the success of their mission.
“Between Monday and Tuesday, I personally negotiated for my release, with the help of my family and some of my subjects; the ransom as well. The same evening, they led me out of the den in another Camry car, we drove till the next morning, around 6am, they stopped at Abangna market and they told me to get down, handed my phones to me and drove off. Standing there, I called my brother who came to pick me up and drove me back to my palace.
The monarch, however, appreciated his family and the good people of Nnewi, who he said that God used in one way or the other to ensure his release, praying that the Almighty God will reward them immensely.
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