Ben Ezechime, Enugu
Following the final release of the three family members accompanying the corpse of their late brother Israel Ugwuanyi from Lagos to Nsukka, the family has accused both the Enugu State Government and the Police of abandonment.
The trio were released in the evening of Thursday February 22 after spending five days in the camp of the kidnappers.
In a statement issued by the elder brother to late Ugwuanyi, Mr Collins Ugwuanyi, made available to Ikengaonline in Enugu on Friday the family accused the Nigeria Police and Enugu State of insensitivity while they remained in the kidnappers den.
“We are still bewildered by the actions of Nigerian Government – the Federal, State and Local Government; the security personnel, police, Nigerian army, forest guard, etc.
“We were abandoned by the government whose primary responsibility is the protection of lives and property. We were almost abandoned even by our own people. God have mercy,” he said.
Ugwuanyi said that though the news of the kidnapping was all over the media, the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah and the chairman of Nsukka Local government Dr. Barr. Walter Ozioko, did not in any way contact the family up till now regarding the incident.
“They cannot claim that they were not aware of the incident because the news was everywhere. Are these people not human beings from their state?
“The commissioner of police is ordering for the arrest of a native doctor for carrying out act of cruelty on animals on his shrine but he could not issue a similar order to arrest these criminals holding my people hostage. We are seriously in trouble,” he said.
He said he was greatly surprised that the Police did not make any single effort to effect the release of my relations.
According to him: “The divisional police station where we reported the incident could not swing into action to release my relations under kidnapper’s net.
“When I contacted him, he said, “me and my men wanted to enter bush but the cost of fuel is too high…”
Look at the type of mess we are into.
“We want to thank Nigerians who in one way or the other assisted our family through prayers and other support.
“God through His divine intervention brought back the kidnapped victims home safely.”
