The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has sounded the alarm over the escalating cases of kidnappings in the South-East, urging the governors of the five states to take immediate and decisive action. The group expressed deep concern about the growing insecurity, which has turned travel within the region into a harrowing experience.
Speaking on Thursday, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, National President of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council, called on South-East governors to prioritize the safety of their citizens. He highlighted the alarming rise in abductions along key roads and within communities, despite the heavy presence of security checkpoints.
“The situation has become unbearable,” Okwu stated. “Traveling within the South-East is now filled with tension and fear. Every day, we receive reports of commuters being abducted. It’s no longer safe to move from one state to another, or even within a state, without the fear of being kidnapped.”
Okwu urged the governors to forge a united front against the criminals terrorizing the region. He emphasized that the time for mere talk is over and that concrete action is needed to restore safety and confidence among the people. “Our people have suffered enough at the hands of these criminals. Many don’t make it back alive because they can’t pay the ransom. The governors must step up and fulfill their primary responsibility of protecting lives,” he said.
Okwu also praised the Enugu State Government for its recent decision to demolish properties used by kidnappers. He described the action as a positive step that should be replicated across the region to deter those who harbor criminals. “This is the way forward. However, it must be followed by a sustained effort to dislodge these criminal elements and restore the people’s faith in the government,” Okwu added.
