- Gunmen attacked Emeka Umeagbalasi, a human rights activist, and his family members.
- The attackers stole Umeagbalasi’s Mitsubishi Hilux car at gunpoint and later demanded N250,000 to release the vehicle.
- The gunmen also snatched other private vehicles and abducted their occupants, holding nine communities under siege for over eight hours.
Gunmen have attacked Emeka Umeagbalasi, a prominent human rights activist and chairman of the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law, and his family members. The first attack occurred on November 27, when the gunmen shot sporadically and stole Umeagbalasi’s Mitsubishi Hilux car at gunpoint from his driver, Chike Umeh.
Although the vehicle was later recovered, the gunmen seized it again, demanding N250,000 to release the vehicle and allow the funeral of Umeagbalasi’s father-in-law to proceed peacefully. The car was snatched again at Ezinifite Roundabout in Aguata local government area, and Umeagbalasi’s wife, Blessing, their 4-year-old son, Chimdiebube, 13-year-old house-girl, Somtochukwu Okafor, and 55-year-old driver, Umeh, were forced out of the vehicle at gunpoint.
On the same day, the gunmen also snatched other private vehicles, including an SUV Prado and another SUV, abducted their occupants, and operated for over eight hours, holding nine communities in the area under siege. The matter has been reported to the Ekwulobia Police Division, and the Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the recovery of a stolen blue Hilux vehicle.
