Former SSG and many others abducted as kidnappers lay siege on Enugu-Nsukka highway

Former Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Dr. Dan Shere was kidnapped by gummen suspected to be herders along Enugu-Ugwuogo, Nike-Nsukka Road, Enugu State. Shere, a medical doctor who served under the administration of former Governor, Chimaroke Nnamani was among several commuters kidnapped on Thursday, October 27, 2022.  

It was gathered that the Enugu politician was travelling to Nsukka for a meeting when the gunmen attacked him alongside other travellers. One of the survivors, who shared a video of the attack, said the gunmen were about eight in number. “They shot severally at our vehicle; one of us was hit by the bullets. But our driver managed to move on. We succeeded in taking the victim to the hospital,” he narrated while thanking God for saving him and four others from the same community.  

Recall that several kidnapping incident has been going on along Enugu-Ugwuogo, Nike-Nsukka road. Several students and passengers whose numbers were yet to be ascertained traveling to Nsukka, on Sunday evening October 23, were reportedly abducted along the Nike-Opi-Nsukka road. The students were returning to campus following the resumption of academic activities after eight months of industrial action embarked on by lecturers in public universities across the country.  Meanwhile, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, on Thursday October 26, expressed outrage over what it called near total breakdown of security along the Enugu-Ugwuogo Nike-Nsukka. A statement by the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, said it was disheartening that despite the heavy presence of security operatives on the road, including the military and the police, the hoodlums were carrying out their rampaging activities unchallenged. 

Okwu said the development was unacceptable, urging the security agencies to look inwards. “We are saddened that the all-important Enugu-Ugwuogo Nike-Nsukka Road has now become impassable because of the activities of rampaging Fulani herdsmen,” he said. No day passes by without sad stories from commuters and their loved ones. Just this Sunday, some travellers, including returning students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, were abducted by the gunmen. “As we speak, not one of them has been released or rescued by security operatives. The kidnappers are demanding millions of naira. “Today again, Thursday, information reaching us indicates that the armed men are back on the same road, and have succeeded in taking hostage many travellers. 

“This calls to question the role of the various security checkpoints mounted on that road, including the Army and the Police. Feelers are alleging that there is internal collaboration between some of them and the hoodlums. “We are urging the Army and the Police hierarchy to launch a discreet investigation and find out those providing a safe haven for these criminals. “We have had enough sorrowful incidents on that road; we have had enough assurances from the police but it has not translated into results.” The Igbo group demanded that “every effort should be made to free all hostages.

The perpetrators should also be arrested forthwith and all forms of crimes should be stopped on that road. “We learnt that they operating from Ekwegbe Agu forest. Security agencies should move in there and smoke them out. This is the only way for the security agencies to redeem their image and earn the trust of the people.”