The Imo State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of the President of Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), Comrade Igboayaka, by unidentified gunmen in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
According to reports, the gunmen, numbering seven, stormed Igboayaka’s residence in Works Layout on Saturday evening and forcefully took him away.
The National President of the Igbo National Council (INC), Chilos Godsent, raised the alarm in a statement on Sunday, describing the abduction as a “Neo Mafia Gestapo” operation.
“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 in 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,” Godsent stated.
He further lamented that all efforts by OYC members, family, and associates to reach Igboayaka after his abduction had been unsuccessful.
“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 whereabouts have failed because all his mobile lines were switched off immediately after the ugly incident took place,” he said.
Godsent called on the Imo State Police Command to act swiftly in identifying the gunmen and ensuring Igboayaka’s safe return.
“On the foregoing, the Igbo National Council (INC) wishes to call on the leadership of the Nigerian Police Force, Imo State Command, to immediately swing into 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,” he stated.
Police Confirm Abduction, Deny Arrest
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer for Imo State, DSP Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident, stating that an investigation had commenced. However, he denied knowledge of any police involvement in the arrest.
READ ALSO: Imo Police Deny Arrest of Ohanaeze Youth Leader Igboayaka
“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,” Okoye said.
As concerns mount over Igboayaka’s safety, pressure continues to build on security agencies to secure his release and bring his abductors to justice.