UK-Based Man Abducted in Anambra After Attending Cousin’s Burial, Kidnappers Demand N100m Ransom

A United Kingdom-based Nigerian, Mr. Ikechukwu Okeke, was recently kidnapped in Anambra State by unidentified gunmen upon returning from his cousin’s burial.

Mr. Okeke, a native of Amaokpala in Orumba North Local Government Area, was abducted at the gate of his home at about 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2025. He had traveled to Nigeria on December 27, 2024, to attend the funeral of his cousin, Mrs. Obiageli Okoli, and visit his aging parents.

According to the Amaokpala Community in Diaspora, which addressed journalists on the incident, the kidnappers had been trailing Mr. Okeke without his knowledge. As he arrived home, they ambushed him, forced him out of his vehicle, and bundled him into a waiting Toyota Sienna before speeding off.

The following morning, the kidnappers contacted his family, demanding a ransom of N100 million. After negotiations, an undisclosed amount was paid, leading to his release after three days in captivity.

The Amaokpala Community in Diaspora condemned the growing insecurity in Anambra State and urged Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo to take urgent action to protect lives and property.

Mr. Okeke, visibly shaken by the ordeal, expressed gratitude for his survival and lamented the high crime rate in Anambra and Nigeria at large. He attributed the rise in criminal activities to widespread unemployment and the lack of social security, calling for investment in industries, job creation, and strategic security measures to prevent future incidents.

However, when contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, stated that there was no official report of the incident before the command.