Family Of Missing Ebonyi Student Pleads With Otti, Nwifuru For Intervention

The family of David Ogbonnaya, the missing student of Kingdom College, Ozu Abam, Arochukwu LGA of Abia State have called on the state governor, Alex Otti and his Ebonyi counterpart, Francis Nwifuru to assist them in finding their missing son who was kidnapped on March 5, 2024, during a land dispute inside Kingdom College farm.

David, from Amagu Ishiagu, Ikwo LGA of Ebonyi State, according to his family, was allegedly abducted by some youths of Ndi Okorie community who invaded Kingdom College’s farm to attack the students of the institution who were working in their school farm, abducting 8 of the studends in the process.

Abel Ogbonnaya who addressed journalists in Umuahia on Monday on behalf of his family, said that while one of the kidnapped students from Awkuzu Anambra State was killed, six other students were rescued by the Nigerian Army team from Ohafia but his brother has not been found till date.

He said his family, with the support of traditional ruler of Amagu, Eze Dominic Alo had written a letter to Governor Francis Nwifuru and also drawn the attention of the member representing Amagu in the House of Representatives, Chinedu Ogah, seeking their supports in finding his brother alive or dead.

He also said the majority leader of Abia State House of Assembly, Uchenna Kalu who represents Arochukwu constituency, various security agencies in Abia other concerned authorities are aware of his family’s travails in searching for their missing son but have not done much on it.

Abel Ogbonnaya also claimed that a Policeman sent from the Force headquarters in Abuja to investigate the matter was also kidnapped and given deep machete wounds by the same Ndi Okorie youths who kidnapped him but was later rescued by officers from the 14 Brigade Nigerian Àrmy, Ohafia.

“Since March 5, 2024, our son is still missing, we appeal to Governors Alex Otti and Francis Nwifuru, the Police and all concerned authorities to help us in locating our son’s whereabouts, dead or alive”, he said.

When contacted by DAILY POST, the Spokesperson of the Abia State Police Command, ASP Maureen Chinaka appealed for to be given sometime to comment on the matter.

Also, Force PPRO, ACP Olamuyiwa Oladeji when contacted said there were many Investigation Teams at the Force Headquarters but demanded to get the text of the question for him to respond.

But he was yet to respond at the time of the report.

However, the majority leader of Abia State House of Assembly, Uchenna Kalu confirmed the incident to Journalists on Monday, saying the land dispute between Kingdom College and Ndi Okorie community started over fifteen years ago, adding that both the people of Ndi Okorie and students of Kingdom College reported that they were attacked during the March 5 clash.

He noted that he had brought the matter to the knowledge of Abia State Deputy Governor, Ikechuckwu Emetu who is in charge of boundary matters, visited the injured victims from both sides and also organised peace and security meeting to douse the tension.