An Anambra man, ThankGod Adiegbuo, from Umueze village in Umunnachi, Dunukofia Local Government Area, has narrated how he was lured into the kidnappers’ den by his friend identified as Mr Sunday Nwakanze.

Adiegbuo, in a video after what he described as a miraculous escape, said Nwakanze, met him recently. They exchanged numbers, and since then, Nwakanze had been calling him, requesting a visit.

According to Adiegbuo, Nwakanze, who hails from Umudioka, in Dunukofia LGA, was also his classmate in primary school as well as his in-law because he married one of his relatives.

After he visited him, some armed persons appeared with guns and ordered him to lie down, they dispossessed him of his valuables and blindfolded him.

While they were deliberating on killing him, he escaped.

“So, I decided to visit him. He told me there’s a place he is building a house, close to Abagana Girls Secondary School, Abagana, in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State. He gave me directions to the place, and I took off with my car,” he narrated.

“When I got close to a particular area, it turned out to be a shrine. I was not afraid because I’m not new to visiting native doctors, but while we were there, some people appeared with guns and ordered me to lie down.

“They dispossessed me of all my belongings, collected my ATM card, and withdrew the last N150,000 I had. They tied me up and blindfolded me. My in-law kept assuring me I would be fine and that I wouldn’t be hurt.

“When they left the room, I overheard them saying the best thing was to kill me since I could expose them. They were still deliberating on what to do with me when, suddenly, I tried to loosen the clothes with which I was tied, and they all gave way.”

Mr Adiegbuo said he escaped by climbing a staircase in the simple building to the next floor and jumping into another compound.

Meanwhile, operatives of the State Police Command had earlier arrested two of the suspected kidnappers including the native doctor in connection with the abduction of Mr. Adiegbuo.

The spokesperson of the command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, in a statement on November 23, 2024, said a manhunt is ongoing to arrest the accused, Sunday Nwakanze and one Supouluchukwu Nweze, who are presently at large.

“Following the testimony of a rescued kidnap victim on 22/11/2024 by 6 pm near Abagana Girls Secondary School, Joint security forces comprising of Police and Anambra Vigilantes busted a shrine of a Native Doctor at Uru, Abagana, arrested two suspects and launched a manhunt on two others, recover one pump action, the victim’s vehicle, rope, horsewhip and other incriminating items,” the PPRO stated.

“The suspects include one Maduabuchukwu, Ikechukwu Okafor age 30yrs, and Nweze Chijindu aged 38yrs all natives of Abagana while One Supuluchukwu Nweze and Sunday Nwakanze aged 30yrs are presently at large.

“Preliminary investigations reveal that the victim was lured to the location by a phone call allegedly initiated by Sunday Nwakanze. The victim was abducted at gunpoint, dispossessed of valuables, and transported to a shrine where he was restrained using ropes and had his mouth sealed.

“The two suspects confessed to the crime and are currently assisting the Police with information for possible arrest of other gang members. The Command remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents in Anambra State.”