In a disturbing development that has sent shockwaves across Imo State, the Imo State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of Comrade Igboayaka Igboayaka, the President of the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC). The incident occurred on Saturday, February 8, 2025, when seven gunmen allegedly stormed his residence at Works Layout in Owerri, the state capital.
Eyewitnesses report that the abductors dressed in black, arrived in two vehicles—a Toyota Sienna and a Lexus SUV—and executed the abduction in what witnesses described as a “Neo Mafia Gestapo” style operation. The brazen kidnapping has raised serious concerns about the security of prominent community leaders in the region.
The development was first confirmed by the police spokesperson for Imo State, DSP Henry Okoye. In a statement released on Sunday in response to queries from journalists, he said, “The Imo State Police Command has initiated an investigation to determine the whereabouts of the President of Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), Comrade Igboayaka. In the meantime, the command has confirmed that he has not been arrested. Anyone with information is urged to promptly notify the police.”
The alarming incident has also drawn immediate responses from key community figures. National President of the Igbo National Council, Chilos Godsent, was among the first to raise the alarm over the kidnapping. In his full statement, which has since circulated widely on social media, Godsent provided a detailed account of the events:
“On Saturday 8th February, 2025 at about 7:00 pm we heard the sad news that gunmen dressed in black and numbering up to seven arrived on a Sienna and a Lexus SUV and forcefully arrested the President of the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) – Comrade Igboayaka. O. Igboayaka—in a Neo Mafia Gestapo manner at Works Layout Owerri Imo State.
“Since this sad news, attempts by teeming Members of the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), family members, friends and associates to reach him through his mobile lines to ascertain his way about have failed because all his mobile lines were switched off immediately the ugly incident took place.
“On the foregoing, the Igbo National Council (INC) wish to call on the leadership of the Nigerian Police Force Imo State Command to immediately swing to action to determine the identity of the gunmen that forcefully took the President of Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC)—Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka—captive on the evening of Saturday, 8th February, 2025, in Owerri Metropolis and thus make the same public.”
Comrade Igboayaka Igboayaka, President of Ohanaeze Youth Council
Godsent’s impassioned appeal emphasizes not only the urgency of locating the abducted leader but also the need for a prompt and transparent investigation into the identities of the assailants. His vivid description of the operation—comparing it to the tactics of a “Neo Mafia Gestapo”—underscores the brutality of the incident and the alarming state of security in the region.
This ugly incident has stirred deep concern among the members of the Ohanaeze Youth Council and the broader Igbo community. Family members and associates of Comrade Igboayaka have reportedly attempted to contact him immediately following the abduction, but all communication lines were swiftly disabled, leaving many in a state of uncertainty and fear.
Local security experts have warned that the abduction could be part of a larger trend of targeting prominent community leaders by criminal gangs seeking to destabilize civic order. “This incident highlights a worrying vulnerability in our security architecture,” said a local analyst, adding that the abduction of such a high-profile leader might embolden other criminal elements if not swiftly and decisively addressed.
As the Imo State Police Command ramps up its investigation, community leaders and the Igbo National Council are calling on the Nigerian Police Force in Imo to take immediate, aggressive action. The expectation is that identifying and apprehending the culprits will not only bring relief to the affected families and community members but also serve as a deterrent against future abductions.
The situation remains fluid, and authorities have urged anyone with relevant information to come forward. Meanwhile, the community continues to rally in support of Comrade Igboayaka, with leaders promising to monitor the investigation closely and provide regular updates as new developments emerge.
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